October 21
Standing Firm - Sword of the Spirit
Day 21 by SGLY Ministry
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands
forever. Isaiah 40:8 NKJV
When we are dressed in the Armor of God and carrying the Sword of the
Spirit which is the word of God, we can stand firm for “the word of our
God stands forever”.
Remember this verse, memorize it so you can speak it to yourself when
the enemy attacks your faith. Speak it out loud, declaring God’s word
is truth and it will stand forever. The word of God is our weapon of
offense against the enemy, let’s remember to use it under the guidance,
direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who is my guide to how
to use Your Sword, which is Your word, to effectively fight against the
enemy’s spiritual attacks. I thank You that Your word stands forever
and that I can also, as a soldier in Your service dressed in Your Armor
and wielding Your Sword.
I pray that Your Holy Spirit will help me to use the Sword effectively
for Your glory. Amen.
Today: Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help in knowing how to effectively use
the Sword today. Memorize today’s scripture to keep your sword sharp.
Stand firm knowing that you are carrying the word of God as your weapon.
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Accept the Right Thoughts by Joyce Meyer
As Christians, we don’t have to accept every thought that comes into
our heads. Instead, we should measure each thought against the standard
of Scripture, like the verse above tells us to do.
Here’s a practical example: If someone hurts your feelings, make the
decision right then and there that you won’t be upset with them for
days on end. That only gives Satan the opportunity to plant seeds of
bitterness.
Instead, you can reject negative thinking and refuse to let it drain
you of your peace and joy.
Turn to God and say, “Father, I need Your strength. By faith I choose
to receive Your grace to forgive those who mistreated or wronged me. I
ask You to bless them and help me go on with my life. In Jesus’ name,
amen.”
As our minds are renewed with God’s Word, our thinking will change and
line up with Scripture. Then, day by day, godly boundaries around our
thoughts will be established and reinforced. These limits will not only
keep out the deception of the enemy, but help you live a more
enjoyable, godly life.
Lord, I only want to accept right thought that line up with Your way of
thinking and speaking. Alert me when the enemy brings a bad thought my
way so I can do what Your Word says and take it captive into obedience
to You.
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Get Rid of Guilt and Condemnation
How much time do you waste feeling bad about yourself? Whatever amount
of time it is, it’s too much! Even if you are not where you want to be
in your walk with God, you don’t have to feel guilty and ashamed. You
can rejoice that you have made some progress. Jesus, who began a good
work in you, will continue developing and perfecting His work in you
right up until the day of Christ’s return. When the devil attacks you
with guilt and shame, you can say, “I may not be where I need to be,
but thank God I am not where I used to be! God is working in me right
now, and each day I improve!”
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring
it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV
Tip from Joyce: “Learn to enjoy the progress you have made even if it
seems tiny to you, instead of constantly thinking about how far you
still have to go.” – Joyce Meyer
Study Suggestion: Study this list -
https://joycemeyer.org/everydayanswe...i-am-in-christ
of biblical truths by Joyce...and let God’s Word teach you who you are.
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A Bible Devotion
Thank God For You!
2 THESSALONIANS 1:3 NLT 3 Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but
thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for
one another is growing.
God made you for a purpose. God has a plan. You are not an accident.
You may not have discovered where you fit and what your purpose is yet,
but God has not forgotten you. He is still at work.
Most of us will not affect the whole world, or even our entire city.
That does not mean you are not important.
The Bible uses the picture of a human body to illustrate the Body of
Christ. Not every part is ever seen, but every part is important.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:22 NLT 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem
weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.
Even if no one knows the part you are doing, God does. You are
important to God -- important enough to die for.
God has a plan for you, and it lasts far beyond this life that we can
now see.
SAY THIS: Thank God for me!
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Welcome to Verse of the Day!
Today's Bible Verse: Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to the
wilderness for prayer. (NLT)
Today's Inspiring Thought: A Moment With Him
Do you take time each day to get alone with God in prayer? Perhaps you
view prayer and devotions, along with other things in life, as part of
a long list of "do's" and "don'ts." If so, then you probably haven't
discovered that time alone with Jesus is an amazing privilege and a
daily adventure.
Just a moment with Jesus can make all the difference in your day. In
fact, it's the single most important meeting of your day, every day.
We mutter and flutter, we fume and we spurt
We mumble and grumble, our feelings get hurt
We can't understand things, our vision gets dim,
When all that we need is a moment with Him.
--Corrie Ten Boom
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Live in the Present
So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have
worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own
trouble. - Matthew 6:34
There is a reason God called Himself I AM (see Exodus 3:14). Not “I
was” or “I will be,” but “I AM.” The greatest gift anybody has is the
present moment.
Be determined to give yourself and your mind completely to what you are
doing (see Ecclesiastes 5:1). No matter where your body is, you are
where your mind is. If your mind is somewhere else, you can’t enjoy
where you are. For example, if you’re in church, but your mind is on
your grocery list, then you aren’t getting anything spiritually from
the sermon being preached.
Start doing everything you do unto the Lord—to Him, for Him, with
Him—and you will be able to focus on each moment of the present and
enjoy life.
Power Thought: I live in the present and enjoy each moment of the day.
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A Bible Devotion
Control Your Words
1 PETER 4:11 NIV 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking
the very words of God. . . .
When you speak what the Bible says, you are speaking the very words of
God.
EPHESIANS 4:29 NIV 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your
mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to
their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
JAMES 4:11 NKJ 11 Do not speak evil of one another . . . .
TITUS 3:2 NKJ 2 to speak evil of no one . . . .
You are responsible for what you say. If you cannot say something good,
the Bible is clear: keep quiet.
SAY THIS: Lord please help me to keep quiet unless I have something to
say that would be acceptable to you.
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Jesus Took A Nap
LUKE 8:23 NLT 23 On the way across, Jesus lay down for a nap, and while
he was sleeping the wind began to rise. A fierce storm developed that
threatened to swamp them, and they were in real danger.
So many people are driven -- feeling and acting like the responsibility
for running the whole world is on their shoulders.
But Jesus was able to relax. Arguably, He had an important job to do.
Yet He had balance in His life. He knew when it was time to take a nap.
Jesus also spent whole nights in prayer. So, His example does not
encourage laziness or apathy. Just balance -- and trust in God, instead
of worry.
Some may think it would be a sin to "take a nap" because we should
always be working. But Jesus never sinned, and we may safely follow His
example, and keep our lives in balance.
SAY THIS: I will relax and trust God.
A Bible Devotion
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Bible Verses
Colossians 3:2 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
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Psalm 34:22 – The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned
who takes refuge in him.
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Matthew 5:7 – God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be
shown mercy.
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Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will
be with you, just as you say he is. — Amos 5:14
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Prayers
Lord, I humbly come to you
To thank you in every circumstance
- For your grace
- For your Love
I pray that your wisdom helps guide my mind, my mouth and my hands
during this week for your honor.
I know that if I work for you first - my efforts will not be in vain
and will benefit those I love.
Please give me peace of mind, joy in my heart and love for
- my family,
- my friends,
- my neighbors
and my foes
In your name Jesus. Amen
*****
Dear Lord God, help me to realize that the "good news" is that You are
discoverable, that You are all that Jesus Christ declared You to be.
Through Christ I can glimpse the very heart of You, and know that You
are a God of love, hope and strength; through Him, I know that I can
trust You with my world, and my life. ... Help me in turn to be
trustworthy, to let You know in countless ways each day that You can
rely on me. For this I thank You.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
© 2000 by D. L. Hammond, Permission to copy granted for
noncommercial use.
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Eternal God, may I know the value of the gift of life. May I think
seriously of it, and not through abuse or neglect cripple it,
remembering that it is mine to sow, to grow, and to reap. I pray that I
may care more for the food and raiment of my soul than I care for the
food and raiment of my body. Amen.
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Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father: you have brought me in
safety to this new day. Preserve me with your mighty power that I might
not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity, and in all I do,
direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ my
Lord. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
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Rooted and Grounded
Ephesians 3:14-19
Dear Father, transcendent in power and fullness,
I bow my knees before you, Father, from whom the whole family in heaven
and earth is named.
According to the riches of your glory strengthen me with your might in
my innermost being, that Christ may dwell in my heart through the trust
I have in him.
Root me and ground me in love so that I may have the power to
comprehend - along with all your holy people - what is the breadth and
length and height and depth of your goodness.
In the name of Jesus Christ I honor you and ask these blessings from
your hand. Amen.
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Dear Lord, thank you so much for another day of life on Earth. Thank
you for another beautiful sunrise to enjoy. Thank you for the wonderful
sounds of nature, from the cool breeze brushing through the trees to
the birds singing melodies. You are a wonderful God, full of grace and
mercy. I praise you for allowing me another day to spend with my
family. I love you Father! Amen.
*****
Dear Lord, I pray that you would give me strength to be strong for You
in the world today. Lord, you know the struggles that I will face
today. Be with me as I go through them. Carry me if I am too weak to
move. If I stumble in them, forgive me Father. When I succeed in them,
I will praise You! You are worthy of all praise and honor. Amen.
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Dear Glorious Father, I pray that I will stay focused on you today. I
pray that You will constantly remind me to be content in all of my
circumstances. I pray that You will fill me up that I may be joyful all
day, even if stress creeps in. I know that through my contentment, You
will be glorified. I want to honor You, Father, in all that I do. I
praise Your Holy Name! Amen
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Dear Father, thank you for today. Give me the strength to do what must
be done today.