September 12

Spiritual Vitamins Day 12

SGLY Ministry

SPIRITUAL VITAMIN G: GUARD
“Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.” 1 Timothy 6:20 (NKJV)

Today’s Thought:
In this verse Paul is telling Timothy to guard what God entrusted to him, which was the faith he knew to be true.
Paul warns him to avoid having discussions with those who, professing to be more knowledgeable, would contradict the truth Timothy knew to be true for Paul said: “Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.” 1 Timothy 6:21 (NLT)

Today’s Action: GUARD
Be on guard.
Stand true to what you believe.
Be courageous.
Be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13

Guard is an action word.
We believers must always be on guard against the world, the flesh and the devil, for each of those will try to kill, steal or destroy our faith.

Today let’s take our Spiritual Vitamin G and resolve to stand firm and Guard what we believe and know is true.
Let’s not be led into foolish discussions by those who oppose the Bible.
Let’s Guard our faith and be sure we know the word of God, so we can use it to answer as Jesus did when He was being tempted by satan.

Scripture has the power to overcome and to strengthen us, so let’s stand firm in our faith and guard our ways as Paul told Timothy to and as David declared he would.
“I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.” –David in Psalm 39:1

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“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NRSV)

Good morning, Lord.

As I sit in my cozy room looking out at what is left of the night sky as well as the peach-hued sunrise fringed by tall pines, I am reminded again of Your quiet but miraculous power. There is perfection in Your mornings, Lord, before the household is up and the lights come on, before the television news intrudes into the day and I pick up that rusty bucket of worries, cares and to-do lists that I tend to drag with me throughout my waking hours. When at night I close my eyes on the weariness, frustration and toil of the day, I turn my circumstances and my world over to You. I go to sleep on my messy situations and wake up to a clean palette of silence and beauty. You are the source of serenity and loveliness, Lord. You ask us to be still and know that You are God. You even give us beautiful morning hours—and moments of sanctuary throughout a busy day—if only we will notice and take advantage of them.

Faith Step: Today, Lord, help me to see the beauty you have made, to find the pockets of time that I know are there. Help me to give thanks and praise and to be still so that I can hear Your voice and once again be assured that You are God.

http://www.morningswithjesus.com/

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Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. — Philippians 3:12 (NKJV)

God Sees Your Possibilities by Joyce Meyer

None of us is perfect. In fact, we’re sometimes painfully aware of our weaknesses and imperfections, but God always looks at us through the eyes of possibility. He not only sees where we can grow, but He sees who we can become, and He’s always hopeful about our future. It can take a long time for us to truly understand the hope God has for us, but I pray you'll begin that journey today.

To realize how much hope God can have for a person, all I have to do is think about what I was like when He called me into full-time ministry. When God began using me to minister to others, I was so far from perfect, it was almost laughable. When I started leading that home Bible study, I was wearing short shorts and smoking—while I was teaching!

Thank God He didn’t wait until I was "fixed" before He started working in me and through me to help people. He looked beyond what my current reality was at the time and saw the potential of who I would become with His help. He started changing me right where I was, and He’ll do the same for you.

Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to remember that when You see me, You see the possibilities and hope for my future that I can’t see. Thank You for patiently working with me and helping me grow today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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God can fill your empty nets by Alive to God

God can take the very same nets that came up empty under our own initiative and fill them when we are operating under His instruction and in His presence. God can take what is empty and fill it up to overflowing. This may appear to be just a side story when seen in conjunction with the big picture of Jesus and the difference His presence made in this situation. But may we never lose site of the wonderful fact that because of Jesus these empty nets were filled. There is nothing worse for a fisherman than empty nets!

Recently my brother went fishing with his son. They fished for 4 hours and caught nothing, not even a nibble or a bite. When he got home he called me and told me what an utter waste of time it had been. I reminded him that at least he got to spend that time with his son, doing something that his son loves to do.

Perhaps there is an ’empty net’ in your life? Something that you had really hoped would work, something that you put great effort and energy into and yet it never brought the reward you had hoped or seen others achieve with much less effort? Remember it is the Lord who fills the empty nets, if we will call on Him and follow His instructions. Give Him your ’empty nets’ today!

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Inner Peace

I am open to the peace of God within.

The world does not determine whether or not I am at peace. I am willing to let peace begin with me. Inner peace is a state of mind and heart, one I can choose anytime.

I take time right now to center myself in peace. In a moment of silence, I release any concerns and feel my oneness with God. I relax, breathe deeply, and rest quietly. I pray “Peace, be still!” until I feel peace in every fiber of my being.

Beginning my day with a peaceful heart, I become a channel of peace, opening the way for peaceful encounters in the hours ahead. I set the intention to bring awareness to my thoughts, words, and actions throughout the day and to stay centered in peace.

For God is a God not of disorder but of peace. —1 Corinthians 14:33

Daily Word

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Bible Verses

Psalm 62:5 ‘Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him.’

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Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

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Psalm 18:30b – The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

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The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. — Proverbs 20:29

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Prayers

Prayer for the Morning

You are ushering in another day, untouched and freshly new, So here I come to ask You God if You'll renew me too?

Forgive the many errors, that I made yesterday, And let me try again dear God, to walk closer in Thy way.

But Father, I am well aware, I can't make it on my own. So take my hand and hold it tight, for I can't walk alone. Amen.

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Prayer of Supplication

Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me, for I am poor and needy. Without you, I have nothing. I pray that this day I will have food, and shelter, and be free of pain and fear. If it is not your will for me to suffer, Lord, I pray that I will not. And above all, cleanse my soul of sin, that I might someday be free of all pain and evil; for, whatever I may bear in this life, I have faith and hope in the life to come, through your goodness and mercy. In Christ's name, I pray, Amen.

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Lord, in utter humility I thank you and glorify you, that you might hear the prayer of one so small as myself, amidst the billions of souls among billions of stars in one of billions of galaxies in your universe. Let me go forth in your peace, keeping your Spirit always in my mind; and bless me, I pray, that I might always follow your will and live in the radiance of your blessing. Amen.

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Overcoming Fear

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked come against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes they will stumble and fall. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Amen.

Scripture Reading Psalm 27:1-3 2 Timothy 1:7

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God our Father, for each individual it is as though his or her name is written on the palm of your hand. Lead us to grow in the faith that your love for each person is without limit or condition. Inspire us to live in such a way that the light of Christ may shine through us, bringing love and warmth and happiness to those who share our lives. Amen

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Dear heavenly Father, I am grateful for the peace that You have given me. Thank You for delivering me from worry and fear, so that I will not fret about the evil in the world. I am also thankful for the guidance You daily give me, so that I can walk in the light of Your ways. I do appreciate Your goodness toward me. Teach me more about Your ways, so that I do not stumble on the path of life. May I shine with Your light, so that others may see my good works and glorify my Father in Heaven. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.