Shine His Light

Learn to listen to Me even while you are listening to other people. As they open their souls to your scrutiny, you are on holy ground. You need the help of My Spirit to respond appropriately. Ask Him to think through you, live through you, love through you. My own Being is alive within you in the Person of the Holy Spirit. If you respond to others’ needs through your unaided thought processes, you offer them dry crumbs. When the Spirit empowers your listening and speaking, My streams of living water flow through you to other people. Be a channel of My Love, Joy, and Peace by listening to Me as you listen to others.

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”- EXODUS 3:5 

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.- 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19 

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.- JOHN 7:38–39

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Have you ever offered a friend advice even when you really did not know what you were talking about? Maybe you have never been in that type of situation or your mind was already clouded by something else. Maybe you did not listen to them in the first place and you were just rambling off something someone else told you.

God wants us to stop responding to the needs of those around us with our unaided responses. We know nothing compared to the Father. When someone else has a problem, we should approach God the same way we would seek Him ourselves.

We are followers of our God. When we are true Christians we shall let the light of God shine through us and upon others. God wants us to ask Him for answers and then let those words come through our own mouths for others to receive. Focus on letting God's Holy word come through you mind and mouth, seek Him for all problems, even those which are not your own.

Our Sheppard

I am with you. I am with you. I am with you. Heaven’s bells continually peal with that promise of My Presence. Some people never hear those bells because their minds are earthbound and their hearts are closed to Me. Others hear the bells only once or twice in their lifetimes, in rare moments of seeking Me above all else. My desire is that My “sheep” hear My voice continually, for I am the ever-present Shepherd.

Quietness is the classroom where you learn to hear My voice. Beginners need a quiet place in order to still their minds. As you advance in this discipline, you gradually learn to carry the stillness with you wherever you go.When you step back into the mainstream of life, strain to hear those glorious bells: I am with you. I am with you. I am with you.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.- JEREMIAH 29:12–13

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”- JOHN 10:14, 27–28

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How often do you go to the Lord and seek His guidance? Do you reach out to Him only when you lose your job? Do you question Him only when someone is sick? Why do we do that? Why do we only seek God's presence when something negative happens to us? We should be "needing" God ALL THE TIME. It is an ongoing process so it will take time, but we shall become less self dependent and more God dependent.

God is our Sheppard. He created us, He leads us and He knows the life path we will take. When we open our hearts, minds and ears to His message we receive eternal life with our Sheppard. If we listen to the other around us and the devil pulling us down, we are bound to fall of our Sheppard's path.

Turn to God today for the good and the bad. Come to Him in silence willing to listen to His every word. He is with us always, not just when something negative happens to our lives. He wants to lead us down the path to His everlasting kingdom, heaven.

Are You Prepared?

Linger in My Presence a while. Rein in your impulses to plunge into the day’s activities. Beginning your day alone with Me is essential preparation for success. A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle. Similarly, your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you. Only I know what will happen to you this day. I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way. If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Me while I ready you for action.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.- EPHESIANS 2:10

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.- HEBREWS 12:3

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Starting your day with God is like starting a work presentation, reviewing what you are supposed to present, like the warm up before the game or like the appetizer before the meal. God wants us to communicate and study with him when before we start our days so that we are prepared for what he has planned for us that day. God knows everything. He knows what is going to happen to us today, tomorrow and 5 years from now. He is timeless and wants us to be ready for all that we are going to face. If we don't prepare ourselves, we are more likely to fail. God, our Father, does not want us to fail. He wants us to be able to relax and trust that He will guide us and protect us along the way. But if we don't let Him in and listen to Him, how can He do so?

Arrange your schedule so that you can listen, read or study His word before you begin your journey for the week or day. God wants us to be prepared. Let Him in and listen.

Fairness

Do not expect to be treated fairly in this life. People will say and do hurtful things to you, things that you don’t deserve. When someone mistreats you, try to view it as an opportunity to grow in grace. See how quickly you can forgive the one who has wounded you. Don’t be concerned about setting the record straight. Instead of obsessing about other people’s opinions of you, keep your focus on Me. Ultimately, it is My view of you that counts.

As you concentrate on relating to Me, remember that I have clothed you in My righteousness and holiness. I see you attired in these radiant garments, which I bought for you with My blood. This also is not fair; it is pure gift.When others treat you unfairly, remember that My ways with you are much better than fair. My ways are Peace and Love, which I have poured out into your heart by My Spirit.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.- COLOSSIANS 3:13

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.- ISAIAH 61:10

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.- EPHESIANS 1:7–8

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.- ROMANS 5:5

My Presence

As you become increasingly aware of My Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go. This is one of the practical benefits of living close to Me. Instead of wondering about what is on the road ahead or worrying about what you should do if…or when…, you can concentrate on staying in communication with Me. When you actually arrive at a choice-point, I will show you which direction to go.

Many people are so preoccupied with future plans and decisions that they fail to see choices they need to make today. Without any conscious awareness, they make their habitual responses. People who live this way find a dullness creeping into their lives. They sleepwalk through their days, following well-worn paths of routine.

I, the Creator of the universe, am the most creative Being imaginable. I will not leave you circling in deeply rutted paths. Instead, I will lead you along fresh trails of adventure, revealing to you things you did not know. Stay in communication with Me. Follow My guiding Presence.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.- PSALM 32:8

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.- GENESIS 1:1

Come Unto Me

Come to Me when you are hurting, and I will soothe your pain. Come to Me when you are joyful, and I will share your Joy, multiplying it many times over. I am All you need, just when you need it. Your deepest desires find fulfillment in Me alone.

This is the age of self-help. Bookstores abound with books about “taking care of number one,” making oneself the center of all things. The main goal of these methodologies is to become self-sufficient and confident. You, however, have been called to take a “road less traveled”: continual dependence on Me. True confidence comes from knowing you are complete in My Presence. Everything you need has its counterpart in Me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”- JOHN 15:5

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.- JAMES 1:4

___________________________________________________________ God says, "Come unto me, those who are weary and I will give you rest". He wants us to bring our hurts, our scars, and the loads that we carry so that He may give us peace. But God does not just want us to come to Him when we need something. We must also call to Him when we are joyful and happy. He wants to join us in our happiness and celebration so that He may spread it further that we may possibly know. I have heard may stories, and I am sure you have to, about money being donated to a cause and then that money finding ways to multiply and cover more than was needed. God will provide for us ALWAYS.

The above passage is correct. Today we are taught to become so self reliant. God does not want us to rely only on ourselves. He wants us to trust in Him. He will take us down the right life paths and take care of us and our families.

Forever Our God

I am God with you, for all time and throughout eternity. Don’t let the familiarity of that concept numb its impact on your consciousness. My perpetual Presence with you can be a continual source of Joy, springing up and flowing out in streams of abundant Life. Let your mind reverberate with meanings of My Names: Jesus—the Lord saves, and Emmanuel—God with us. Strive to remain conscious of My Presence even in your busiest moments. Talk with Me about whatever delights you, whatever upsets you, whatever is on your mind. These tiny steps of daily discipline, taken one after the other, will keep you close to Me on the path of Life.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” … “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”- MATTHEW 1:21, 23

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”- ACTS 2:28

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Never does God leave our side. He will be there in the morning, the afternoon and the night. He is our God now and forever and the sooner we figure that out the deeper our relationship can become. When we are happy, sad or upset God will be the only one who heel all. When we trust God and let Him in, He brings peace, joy and fullfillness that we have never before experienced.

Peace

Lie down in green pastures of Peace. Learn to unwind whenever possible, resting in the Presence of your Shepherd. This electronic age keeps My children “wired” much of the time, too tense to find Me in the midst of their moments. I built into your very being the need for rest. How twisted the world has become when people feel guilty about meeting this basic need! How much time and energy they waste by being always on the go, rather than taking time to seek My direction for their lives.

I have called you to walk with Me down paths of Peace. I want you to blaze a trail for others who desire to live in My peaceful Presence. I have chosen you less for your strengths than for your weaknesses, which amplify your need for Me. Depend on Me more and more, and I will shower Peace on all your paths.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.- PSALM 23:1–3

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.- GENESIS 2:2–3

“To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”- LUKE 1:79

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When we come to worship God, He should be enough. We become so wrapped up in technology and being social that we forget what is important. We need to find time to take away fro our busy world and spend with God. He wants to be our addiction, instead of our iPhone, Droids and Blackberries. It is hard to shift from our daily lives to a focused moment on God but it is needed!

I often find myself watching TV, texting, etc when I am trying to study Gods word. That is the devil trying to take our individual time away from the Lord. We cannot let that happen!

Today set time aside to rest at peace with God. You will feel a calm serenity and it will change your outlook on what lies ahead. God wants to grant is His peace, so let Him!

Light of the World

As you turn your attention to Me, feel the Light of My Presence shining upon you. Open your mind and heart to receive My heavenly smile of approval. Let My gold-tinged Love wash over you and soak into the depths of your being. As you are increasingly filled with My Being, you experience joyous union with Me: I in you, and you in Me. Your Joy-in-Me and My Joy-in-you become intertwined and inseparable. I suffuse your soul with Joy in My Presence; at My right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”- JOHN 17:20–23

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.- PSALM 16:11

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I feel like God wants us to know that He is shining over us. He lights ours darkness, all we have to do is let Him in. We have no idea how much God loves us, but as our relationship builds and evolves we can feel our souls fill up with His love. Talking, praying, asking, singing, praising, crying and walking with God along the path of our lives is going to build this everlasting relationship into something words cannot explain. Today let Him be there for you. He will answer all of your questions. He will fill your empty heart. He will put food on your table. He will open our hearts and let us see...

Finding Joy

No matter what your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in My Presence. On some days Joy is generously strewn along your life-path, glistening in the sunlight. On days like that, being content is as simple as breathing the next breath or taking the next step. Other days are overcast and gloomy; you feel the strain of the journey, which seems endless. Dull gray rocks greet your gaze and cause your feet to ache. Yet Joy is still attainable. Search for it as for hidden treasure.

Begin by remembering that I have created this day; it is not a chance occurrence. Recall that I am present with you whether you sense My Presence or not. Then, start talking with Me about whatever is on your mind. Rejoice in the fact that I understand you perfectly, and I know exactly what you are experiencing. As you continue communicating with Me, your mood will gradually lighten. Awareness of My marvelous companionship can infuse Joy into the grayest day.

Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.- PSALM 21:6

And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure.- PROVERBS 2:4

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Sometimes it is hard to find happiness on a dark, rainy grey day. You don't want to get out of bed because you feel tired, you don't want to work because you want to get back in bed. We all know the feeling. But even when we have those overcast days we must remember that God gave us another day of life, He let our earthly bodies take another breath.

God is with us always. When we start our days praising Him for opening our eyes, we already will begin our day on the right foot. Take the time to praise God and talk to Him about how you feel. When you are having trouble getting up, ask Him to push you towards a productive day. God wants us to be the best we can, He is not going to deny us happiness on those gloomy days, so why not just ask?

If you are feeling like your eyes keep closing, your hungry because you missed breakfast or your body is achy and sore, ask God. Communicate with Him. He always will bring you joy.

TO LIVE

To live in My Presence consistently, you must expose and expel your rebellious tendencies. When something interferes with your plans or desires, you tend to resent the interference. Try to become aware of each resentment, however petty it may seem. Don’t push those unpleasant feelings down; instead, let them come to the surface where you can deal with them. Ask My Spirit to increase your awareness of resentful feelings. Bring them boldly into the Light of My Presence, so that I can free you from them.

The ultimate solution to rebellious tendencies is submission to My authority over you. Intellectually you rejoice in My sovereignty, without which the world would be a terrifying place. But when My sovereign will encroaches on your little domain of control, you often react with telltale resentment.

The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Remember that all good things—your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time—are gifts from Me. Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude. Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.- PSALM 139:23–24

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.- 1 PETER 5:6

And he said… “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”- Job 1:21

Living God

I am your living God, far more abundantly alive than the most vivacious person you know. The human body is wonderfully crafted, but gravity and the inevitable effects of aging weigh it down. Even the most superb athlete cannot maintain his fitness over many decades. Lasting abundant life can be found in Me alone. Do not be anxious about the weakness of your body. Instead, view it as the prelude to My infusing energy into your being.

As you identify more and more fully with Me, My Life becomes increasingly intertwined with yours. Though the process of aging continues, inwardly you grow stronger with the passing years. Those who live close to Me develop an inner aliveness that makes them seem youthful in spite of their years. Let My Life shine through you, as you walk in the Light with Me.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.- PSALM 139:14

To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.- COLOSSIANS 1:29

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.- 1 JOHN 1:7

Come to Me

Come to Me with your defenses down, ready to be blessed and filled with My Presence. Relax, and feel the relief of being totally open and authentic with Me. You have nothing to hide and nothing to disclose, because I know everything about you already. You can have no other relationship like this one. Take time to savor its richness, basking in My golden Light.

One of the worst consequences of the Fall is the elaborate barriers people erect between themselves and others. Facades abound in the world, even in My Body, the church. Sometimes, church is the last place where people feel free to be themselves. They cover up with Sunday clothes and Sunday smiles. They feel relief when they leave because of the strain of false fellowship. The best antidote to this artificial atmosphere is practicing My Presence at church. Let your primary focus be communing with Me, worshiping Me, glorifying Me. Then you will be able to smile at others with My Joy and love them with My Love.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.- 1 JOHN 1:5–7

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”- EXODUS 33:14

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…think about such things…- PHILLIPIANS4:8

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A lot of times we worry about what God is going to think about us when we come to Him in prayer or in the church. But the truth is, God already knows what we have done and He will accept us anyways because we have a forgiving God. A lot of the time we just need to go to Him in silence and listen instead of running our mouths.

God does not judge us and we do not have to impress God, like we would in another growing relationship. He knows all, we just have to let Him in, recognizing His presence. When we do so He lights up our life path and pulls us from the darkness of this world.

So stop worrying about what God thinks about you when you come to Him for worship, He already knows. Open your heart and your mind to His presence instead and you shall be blessed by His glory.

Keep your Eyes on Me

Go gently through this day, keeping your eyes on Me. I will open up the way before you, as you take steps of trust along your path. Sometimes the way before you appears to be blocked. If you focus on the obstacle or search for a way around it, you will probably go off course. Instead, focus on Me, the Shepherd who is leading you along your life-journey. Before you know it, the “obstacle” will be behind you and you will hardly know how you passed through it.

That is the secret of success in My kingdom. Although you remain aware of the visible world around you, your primary awareness is of Me. When the road before you looks rocky, you can trust Me to get you through that rough patch. My Presence enables you to face each day with confidence.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”- JOHN 10:14–15

The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth.- ISAIAH 26:7

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It is hard to stay focused on God when we live in a world that is constantly throwing things at us as a distraction. We can get so wrapped up in what we are doing here on this earth that we forget what we really need to do, further the kingdom of God by helping those in need. Obstacles are constantly going to be popping up in our lives, so we need to be prepared a head of time. Study God's word, ask Him for guidance and listen to what He tells you. When we do these things, we will over come those obstacles before we know it, moving on to bigger and better things!

Anxiety...

Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me. So the best defense against worry is staying in communication with Me. When you turn your thoughts toward Me, you can think much more positively. Remember to listen, as well as to speak, making your thoughts a dialogue with Me.

If you must consider upcoming events, follow these rules: 1) Do not linger in the future, because anxieties sprout up like mushrooms when you wander there. 2) Remember the promise of My continual Presence; include Me in any imagery that comes to mind. This mental discipline does not come easily, because you are accustomed to being god of your fantasies. However, the reality of My Presence with you, now and forevermore, outshines any fantasy you could ever imagine.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”- LUKE 12:22–26 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.- EPHESIANS 3:20–21

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 With out God we stress, worry and fret about what our live has in store for us. This comes from picturing our future without God "in the picture". If we want to think about our future plans and endeavors we need to mentally imagine it with God helping us along the way. We cannot be the driver of our own ship. If we want God to help us along our day to day life, then why not ask Him to guide our future?

It is easy to stress. We stress about everything, work, money, food, diet and money, but the moment that doubt or worry comes to your mind, give it to God. He does not want us to have that burden on our lives. Life is more than those useless things and when we offer them to God, we can sudden realize that. Give your worry to God today. Your future will be fine, if you let Him in the picture.

Look to Me for Help

Look to Me continually for help, comfort, and companionship. Because I am always by your side, the briefest glance can connect you with Me. When you look to Me for help, it flows freely from My Presence. This recognition of your need for Me, in small matters as well as in large ones, keeps you spiritually alive.

When you need comfort, I love to enfold you in My arms. I enable you not only to feel comforted but also to be a channel through whom I comfort others. Thus you are doubly blessed, because a living channel absorbs some of whatever flows through it.

My constant Companionship is the pièce de résistance: the summit of salvation blessings. No matter what losses you experience in your life, no one can take away this glorious gift.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.- PSALM 34:4–6

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.- PSALM 105:4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.- 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3–4

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We must be a channel through which God lives. Whatever we do in life, we want it to further the kingdom of God. Why else are we here? One of our personal goals should be to help others find and follow Jesus so that they too may reap His companionship, comfort and peace.

Usually this is one of the hardest things for believers to do. Not everyone wants to go around proclaiming the glories of God, however there are other ways this can be done besides speech. Random acts of kindness, love and faithfulness are all ways that we can show others how God is affecting our lives. We are all created differently, so everyone will have have a different form of communication and that is ok as long as the message is that God is the leader and Father of our lives.

Today I challenge you to let God live through you. Find your way of communication and recognize what God will do.

Stay Conscious of Me

Try to stay conscious of Me as you go step by step through this day. My Presence with you is both a promise and a protection. My final statement just before I ascended into heaven was: Surely I am with you always. That promise was for all of My followers, without exception.

The promise of My Presence is a powerful protection. As you journey through your life, there are numerous pitfalls along the way. Many voices clamor for your attention, enticing you to go their way. A few steps away from your true path are pits of self-pity and despair, plateaus of pride and self-will. If you take your eyes off Me and follow another’s way, you are in grave danger. Even well-meaning friends can lead you astray if you let them usurp My place in your life. The way to stay on the path of Life is to keep your focus on Me. Awareness of My Presence is your best protection.

“And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”- MATTHEW 28:20

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.- HEBREWS 12:1–2

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God is always with us. In the morning when we wake up, while we drive to work, when we feed our families and as we lay our heads down at night, He is always there protecting us. In life there are so many other paths to take, other than that laid down by the Lord. It can be very challenging and stressful if we try to make those journeys on our own, instead of letting God do it for us. When we walk alone we get caught up in today's world of money, sex and sin. God promised us that He will be with us and protect us always. So why not just let Him do it for us? Offer your day to God. Let Him make the decision what path you will take.

Suffer for Me

Be prepared to suffer for Me, in My Name. All suffering has meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely—even thanking Me for them—is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.

When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me for My purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.

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 1:2–4

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.- PSALM 107:21–22

Be Still in my Presence

Take time to be still in My Presence. The more hassled you feel, the more you need this sacred space of communion with Me. Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax in My holy Presence while My Face shines upon you. This is how you receive My Peace, which I always proffer to you.

Imagine the pain I feel when My children tie themselves up in anxious knots, ignoring My gift of Peace. I died a criminal’s death to secure this blessing for you. Receive it gratefully; hide it in your heart. My Peace is an inner treasure, growing within you as you trust in Me. Therefore, circumstances cannot touch it. Be still, enjoying Peace in My Presence.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”- PSALM 46:10

“The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”- NUMBERS 6:25–26

See Yourself Through His Eyes

Beware of seeing yourself through other people’s eyes. There are several dangers to this practice. First of all, it is nearly impossible to discern what others actually think of you. Moreover, their views of you are variable: subject to each viewer’s spiritual, emotional, and physical condition. The major problem with letting others define you is that it borders on idolatry. Your concern to please others dampens your desire to please Me, your Creator.

It is much more real to see yourself through My eyes. My gaze upon you is steady and sure, untainted by sin. Through My eyes you can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally loved. Rest in My loving gaze, and you will receive deep Peace. Respond to My loving Presence by worshiping Me in spirit and in truth.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.-HENREWS 11:6

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”- JOHN 4:23–24

I am the Culmination

I am the culmination of all your hopes and desires. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: who is and was and is to come. Before you knew Me, you expressed your longing for Me in hurtful ways. You were ever so vulnerable to the evil around you in the world. But now My Presence safely shields you, enfolding you in My loving arms. I have lifted you out of darkness into My marvelous Light.

Though I have brought many pleasures into your life, not one of them is essential. Receive My blessings with open hands. Enjoy My good gifts, but do not cling to them. Turn your attention to the Giver of all good things, and rest in the knowledge that you are complete in Me. The one thing you absolutely need is the one thing you can never lose: My Presence with you.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.- PSALM 62:5–8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”- REVELATION 1:8

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.- 1 PETER 2:9

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.- JAMES 1:17

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Today God wants us to know that we should not get attached to our earthly gifts he gives us. He has blessed us with many things but those are not something we should become longing for. Instead the only thing we should "need" in our lives is His presences and because of Jesus dying on the cross for us, we will have His presences with us every day of our lives until He returns to this earth.

Think about what is important to you today. Do you cling to your car, your house, your clothes or money? Give them all to God. Let Him take control of these earthly things so that all you need is His love and guidance. Once we offer ourselves and our lives to Him this will be easy, but first we have to be willing to give it up.

Trust Me Enough

Trust Me enough to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. Relax, and refresh yourself in the Light of My everlasting Love. My Love-Light never dims, yet you are often unaware of My radiant Presence. When you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequate without My help. This is a subtle sin—so common that it usually slips by unnoticed.

The alternative is to live fully in the present, depending on Me each moment. Rather than fearing your inadequacy, rejoice in My abundant supply. Train your mind to seek My help continually, even when you feel competent to handle something by yourself. Don’t divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require My help. Instead, learn to rely on Me in every situation. This discipline will enable you to enjoy life more and to face each day confidently.

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.- PSALM 37:3–6

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.- PHILIPPIANS 4:19

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Are you living in the moment, asking God to guild you every step of the way? Are you trying to plan ahead a see what you can do on your own? God wants us to beg for his guidance. He is always shining his light on us and when we stray and try to do things on our own, we are only leading ourselves down a dark path. Trust God today knowing that HE will guide your path, you do not have to do anything except follow His word and do His work.

Long Journey

You have been on a long, uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent. Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand. I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me. There is one thing, however, that displeases Me: your tendency to complain. You may talk to Me as much as you like about the difficulty of the path we are following. I understand better than anyone else the stresses and strains that have afflicted you. You can ventilate safely to Me, because talking with Me tempers your thoughts and helps you see things from My perspective.

Complaining to others is another matter altogether. It opens the door to deadly sins such as self-pity and rage. Whenever you are tempted to grumble, come to Me and talk it out. As you open up to Me, I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”- JEREMIAH 31:25 

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.- PHILIPPIANS 2:14–15

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It is so easy to complain to our best friend, spouse or significant other when something is not going out way. Not only does this make you feel more negative about the situation, but it brings them down as well. No one wants to hear someone constantly complaining about how tired they are, how they don't feel well or how they have no money. When we face problems in our lives we need to first confront God with the issue. It can seem hard because we cannot hear Him all of the time, but wait and listen. God will touch our hearts and heal our mouths so that we start to see things from His perspective instead of our own.

Today I challenge you to give your complaints to God. Go to Him first before you release your negativity upon someone else. Try it out and see how God can change your thoughts and make you see things from a new a pure perspective.

Everlasting Love

I love you with an everlasting Love. The human mind cannot comprehend My constancy. Your emotions flicker and falter in the face of varying circumstances, and you tend to project your fickle feelings onto Me. Thus, you do not benefit fully from My unfailing Love.

You need to look beyond the flux of circumstances and discover Me gazing lovingly back at you. This awareness of My Presence strengthens you, as you receive and respond to My Love. I am the same yesterday, today, and forever! Let My Love flow into you continually. Your need for Me is as constant as the outflow of My Love to you.

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”- JEREMIAH 31:3

“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”- EEODUS 15:13

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.- HEBREWS 13:8

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God loves us always. When we are sick or if something bad happens we tend to think that God is not watching over us and loving us. This is not true. His love is continuous and forever unchanging. When moments of sin creep into our lives it is the Devil trying to break down the barrier we have with God. Do not let this happen. We must be strong and know that God still loves us and it is not His fault.

Sometimes things like sickness and certain circumstances God puts into our lives to teach us a lesson. God knows what is in our best interest. He knows what will happen in our lives and it us up to us how we choose to play it out. It is hard to think of it that way but we must trust in the Lord.

Let God be in control of your life today. Trust Him and His everlasting love He has for us.

Hear My Voice

In order to hear My voice, you must release all your worries into My care. Entrust to Me everything that concerns you. This clears the way for you to seek My Face unhindered. Let Me free you from fear that is hiding deep inside you. Sit quietly in My Presence, allowing My Light to soak into you and drive out any darkness lodged within you.

Accept each day just as it comes to you, remembering that I am sovereign over your life. Rejoice in this day that I have made, trusting that I am abundantly present in it. Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, thank Me in all circumstances. Trust Me and don’t be fearful; thank Me and rest in My sovereignty.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.- 1 PETER 5:6–7

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.- PSALM 118:24

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.- 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

Follow Me

Be willing to follow wherever I lead. Follow Me wholeheartedly, with glad anticipation quickening your pace. Though you don’t know what lies ahead, I know; and that is enough! Some of My richest blessings are just around the bend: out of sight, but nonetheless very real. To receive these gifts, you must walk by faith—not by sight. This doesn’t mean closing your eyes to what is all around you. It means subordinating the visible world to the invisible Shepherd of your soul.

Sometimes I lead you up a high mountain with only My hand to support you. The higher you climb, the more spectacular the view becomes; also, the more keenly you sense your separation from the world with all its problems. This frees you to experience exuberantly the joyous reality of My Presence. Give yourself fully to these Glory-moments, awash in dazzling Light. I will eventually lead you down the mountain, back into community with others. Let My Light continue to shine within you as you walk among people again.

We live by faith, not by sight.- 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.- PSALM 96:6

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.”- JOHN 8:12

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.- PSALM 36:9

Remember that Joy!

Remember that joy is not dependent on your circumstances. Some of the world’s most miserable people are those whose circumstances seem the most enviable. People who reach the top of the ladder career-wise are often surprised to find emptiness awaiting them. True Joy is a by-product of living in My Presence. Therefore you can experience it in palaces, in prisons…anywhere.

Do not judge a day as devoid of Joy just because it contains difficulties. Instead, concentrate on staying in communication with Me. Many of the problems that clamor for your attention will resolve themselves. Other matters you must deal with, but I will help you with them. If you make problem-solving secondary to the goal of living close to Me, you can find Joy even in your most difficult days.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.- HABAKKUK 3:17–19

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.- 1 CHRONICLES 16:27

Creator of Heaven and Earth

I am the Creator of heaven and earth: Lord of all that is and all that will ever be. Although I am unimaginably vast, I choose to dwell within you, permeating you with My Presence. Only in the spirit realm could Someone so infinitely great live within someone so very small. Be awed by the Power and the Glory of My Spirit within you!

Though the Holy Spirit is infinite, He deigns to be your Helper. He is always ready to offer assistance; all you need to do is ask.When the path before you looks easy and straightforward, you may be tempted to go it alone instead of relying on Me. This is when you are in the greatest danger of stumbling. Ask My Spirit to help you as you go each step of the way. Never neglect this glorious Source of strength within you.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”- JOHN 14:16–17  

“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”- JOHN 16:7

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”- ZECHARIAH 4:6

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It is the easiest to stray when we have nothing going on in our lives at the current time. We know we are supposed to pray to God when we have problems, are sick or are in trouble. But those times when we are perfectly healthy and happy are when we should be praying to him most. If not, it gets to easy to walk beside God's path and into our own.

We do not have to walk alone. The Holy Spirit lives within us. Although it is hard because He is not visible to us as humans, He is the one who is with us 24/7, all we must do is ask. Ask and you shall receive. Pray today that the Holy Spirit shines within you. Ask Him to lead your life and thank Him for the problems that you do not have. Praise Him always.

When Everything Goes Wrong, Trust Me

When many things seem to be going wrong, trust Me. When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank Me. These are supernatural responses, and they can lift you above your circumstances. If you do what comes naturally in the face of difficulties, you may fall prey to negativism. Even a few complaints can set you on a path that is a downward spiral, by darkening your perspective and mind-set. With this attitude controlling you, complaints flow more and more readily from your mouth. Each one moves you steadily down the slippery spiral. The lower you go, the faster you slide; but it is still possible to apply brakes. Cry out to Me in My Name! Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel. Thank Me for everything, though this seems unnatural—even irrational. Gradually you will begin to ascend, recovering your lost ground.

When you are back on ground level, you can face your circumstances from a humble perspective. If you choose supernatural responses this time—trusting and thanking Me—you will experience My unfathomable Peace.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.- PSALM 13:5 

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.- EPHESIANS 5:20

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Have you ever had a really good day, then someone says one negative comment about something and suddenly you, too, are on a downward spiral of negative comments? Or have you yourself had a negative comment that slips out when you open your mouth, sparking a whole new conversation about how you dislike a certain circumstance or person? We have ALL been in a position when we are talking negatively about something and it brings down our whole day. Our mood changes, our posture changes and our reflection as a child of God changes.

STOP! Ask God to change your devil-ish thoughts. Pray for His guidance and for Him to direct your mind to another place. We must learn to control what comes out of our mouths by giving it to God before it is spoken. This is not something that will just happen over night. It will be a process to get yourself to consciously think, "Will this positively affect my image of God, furthering His kingdom?" , before you speak a negative comment. Pray for His power over your thoughts. Then thank Him. Thank God for the peace He will grace your mind and mouth and the humbleness you will feel over your life.

He Who Knows All

Never take for granted My intimate nearness. Marvel at the wonder of My continual Presence with you. Even the most ardent human lover cannot be with you always. Nor can another person know the intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit. I know everything about you—even to the number of hairs on your head. You don’t need to work at revealing yourself to Me.

Many people spend a lifetime or a small fortune searching for someone who understands them. Yet I am freely available to all who call upon My Name, who open their hearts to receive Me as Savior. This simple act of faith is the beginning of a lifelong love story. I, the Lover of your soul, understand you perfectly and love you eternally.

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”- LUKE 12:7 

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.- JOHN 1:12 

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”- ROMANS 10:13

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No one knows us like our God. Our spouses, boyfriends and even our parents do not know us for all of who we are. God our Father knows our ins and outs, He knows what is in our hearts and what we may hide from the rest of the world. This relationship starts from day 1. There is no hiding anything from God, because He knows everything. So if God knows everything, what is the point of talking to or praying to Him daily?

God wants us to seek His word. Even though He knows what is going to happen to us and He has a plan for our lives, we must still call upon Him to live through our earthy bodies, so that we may shine light towards His kingdom.

Having a love relationships with God is not a one way street. We must open our hearts to Him and listen to what He has to say to us. He will guide us down the right path and not let the Devil get in the way. When we trust in our relationship with God and open our hearts, our Savior will protect us always.

Search for your love relationship with God today. He already knows that you are in need of his presence.

Worship Me Only.

Worship Me only. I am King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in unapproachable Light. I am taking care of you! I am not only committed to caring for you, but I am also absolutely capable of doing so. Rest in Me, My weary one, for this is a form of worship.

Though self-flagellation has gone out of style, many of My children drive themselves like racehorses. They whip themselves into action, ignoring how exhausted they are. They forget that I am sovereign and that My ways are higher than theirs. Underneath their driven service, they may secretly resent Me as a harsh taskmaster. Their worship of Me is lukewarm, because I am no longer their First Love.

My invitation never changes: Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest. Worship Me by resting peacefully in My Presence.

Which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.- 1 TIMOTHY 6:15–16 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”- ISAIAH 55:8–9 

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.”- REVELATION 2:4 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”- MATTHEW 11:28

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The theme of today's world is "go, go, go". People always have to be doing something in order to be satisfied with themselves. This can become the only thing we care about and our main priority. Do not let this happen to you. Instead, slow down and rest in peace with God. We can bring our hurt, bring our hearts and the hope that we carry to Him any time of the day and He will wash our souls. God does not want our highest thoughts and desires to be of the world. Instead we should think what God thinks, we should want what God wants with the desire to further His kingdom here on earth. Our goal in life is not to stay busy or to constantly be checking things off of our to do list, but instead to worship our Father who gave us the opportunity to be here on earth and help others find the same path in life.

If have time today, look up a song on YouTube. It is called "Come Unto Me" by Nichole Mullen and it describes today's word by while adding a little music. Very inspirational!