Your Weaknesses = His Perfect Power

2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Are you lacking in something? Time, energy, money, love, motivation? Great. You have the power of God living in you (if you don't already, than you can).... And his power is made PERFECT in our weakness. We were not made to be self-sufficient, but to be dependent on God!!! Talk about your weaknesses... Most people brag and boast about how great they are, but let's change that. Let's boast about about God's power and his sufficient grace!!! Rejoice in your weaknesses!! His power is made perfect in them!

How To Be Thankful

Hebrews 12:28-29 "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." We need to be thankful. Thankful for EVERYTHING - every person in our life, everyday, every opportunity, etc. Don't take anything in your life for granted. In order to learn this deep thankfulness, there's some steps you need to take.
1. Acknowledge that EVERYTHING you have belongs to God.
2. Spend time each day learning about God and his nature.
3. Practice seeing things from His perspective.
4. Don't let a day go by that you don't thank God for your life and everything in it!!!

Leader of Your Days

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;" (Lamentations 3:25 NIV) Seek God today on everything you do. Instead of trying to draw a mental picture of how today is going to be - who you are going to see, what your going to get done, where you're gonna go... Let God lead your day. God might have a plan for today that's opposite of the plans you made up!! Don't try to determine how today, tomorrow, or any day is going to be - Let the One who created you for a specific purpose lead your days!!! Seek him before you do anything!

Major Jesus Power

Isaiah 40:31 "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." When we're weak, He makes us strong. Don't you feel so weak sometimes? Go to God, tell him how weak you are... Then get ready for some major Jesus power!! He made us weak human beings so we would have to rely on him for the power!! God tells us here, that when we put our complete hope in him, he will give us strength... We will soar on wings like eagles, and we will walk and run and not grow weary or faint. Life is hard... But the same power that conquered the grave lives in us!!!

Ladder or Pit

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV) Problems can be good. But each problem you face could have two different outcomes, and the choice is yours. You can either feel sorry for yourself and fall into a deep pit of self-pity, or you can look at your problem as a ladder. A ladder that you can climb to see your life in God's perspective! After all these worldly troubles, we get to live in a place with no troubles for all of eternity!! Put your problems into perspective today!!!

Steady Focal Point

Hebrews 12:2 "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." God needs to be our focal point. We need to continually fix our eyes on him. If you look at your circumstances for too long, you will be very confused! When a ballerina does a spin, she has to keep her eyes on a steady object, because if she focuses on a moving one, she would most likely loose her balance... That's just like us! - God is a steady focal point. He never changes. When we keep our eyes on him, we can face the challenges no matter how hard they are. When we fix our eyes on our fast moving circumstances, we will loose our balance and fall. Keep your eyes fixed on him today!!!

Be Still and Know..

Psalm 46:10 "He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Be still... When things happen in your life that are not what you had planned, just sit back and trust him! He is God and we are not!! No matter how good or bad we think something is for us, he could be thinking the complete opposite! Stop yourself before you get angry or frustrated at your circumstances... God knows what he's doing!! Be still and know that he is God today!!

Eyes on Him

"But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge - do not give me over to death." (Psalm 141:8 NIV) Let's keep our eyes always fixed on him. That way, when we need his guidance, it's right there in front of us! We should spend time with him everyday in order to know his will!! You cannot go wrong if your eyes are always fixed on him!! That's where you will find what his will is!!

Planning.

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27 NIV) "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV) Always be listening for His voice. There are so many times that He tries to tell us stuff, but our minds are so focused on planning. We should focus more listening to God and responding to him than trying to fit things into our plans. In Jesus Calling, the devotional book I'm doing, it says, "A mind preoccupied with planning pays homage to the idol of control." Control can be an idol, but God has SET US FREE! Free from the bondage of our schedule and plans!! Let's use our minds to listen to His voice!!

Your Thoughts

"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6 NIV) Let God control your mind. Even when you have mastered the difficult task of controlling your tongue, your mind is still there, sinning. Yes, your thoughts count. If you can refrain from blurting something mean or rude out, that's great... But are you thinking those things in your mind still? Most likely yes. If your mind is full of God and his wonderful thoughts, that's the stuff you will speak! Give God all control of your mind and thoughts!!

Restless Heart...

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV) Don't be afraid!! Stay strong!! Even though you have no idea what could happen tomorrow, you have to be sure of your ultimate destination. God knows exactly what you're going through, and he wants to calm your restless heart!! He will never leave you or give up on you... Let that soak in today. And if you have a restless heart, ask God to calm it now!

His Love Like Crazy

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind," (Psalm 107:8 NIV) God loves us like crazy. No matter what we do, say, or think, his love for us is huge. His love is not based on us "doing enough"... It has no conditions!! Stay conscience of his loving presence everyday, and he will guide your path!! Never forget the giant love God has for you!!!

Continual Peace

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7 NIV) His peace is his continual gift to us. The same way the Israelites couldn't take manna to store up for the next day, we can't "store up" his peace. It's something we have to ask for everyday! You can't find peace outside of his presence!! We have to learn to fully rely on him and his presence!! We aren't self-sufficient!

Steady Forever

"They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." (Psalm 112:7 NIV) God wants us to stay steady. When sudden things happen that seem to change everything, he wants us to talk to him about it... Remembering that he is always with us. Don't follow your emotions - they will take you on a wild roller coaster ride that will cause you to be unsteady and lose sight of the One we are suppose to focus on. And don't be a slave to your circumstances!! Talk to God about them... He wants to hear - bad or good! The world and our lives will always be unstable, but God will be the same forever!! Always be steady and aware of his presence!!

Give Thanks

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV) Be thankful. When you complain, it's like saying you could run the world better... When obviously, none of us can. We can't see from God's perspective because he wants us to live by faith and not by sight!! Just trust him and be thankful for the life that you have!! He is a sovereign God!! He has all the power!! Be thankful!!

Completely Secure

"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:2 NIV) Call to him so he can lead you to a rock that is higher than you and all your circumstances. Are you faint? Tired? Overwhelmed? Don't know what to do next? Take refuge in the shelter of his wings!! Even though life is unpredictable, in his arms you are completely secure! Lots of things that God will or already has called you to do are completely out of your comfort zone... But instead of letting fear drive you, put your trust in God!!

Eternity Begins Now

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22 NIV) When you ask Jesus to come into your heart, you are dying your earthly death. Right then, heaven begins for you. You are living eternity. Don't wait until heaven to get close to God!! You are living out eternal life now!! Keep your eyes on Him!!

Collaborate.

Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always. (Psalm 105:4 NIV) We were made to depend on him. Life works so much better when God is in it.. And it's because that's how it's supposed to be. We should take time to seek his face and get closer to him!! Practice doing what you do everyday being aware of his presence. You will have an unthinkable joy when you do what you normally do, for God!! Let your life collaborate with His!!

In Every Situation..

"But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, "You are my God." (Psalm 31:14 NIV) Trusting God is a moment by moment decision. It's something you have to decide while going into each situation in your life. It's easy to trust when you see him working all around you, but what about the dry seasons? If he blesses you in one situation, don't complain when you're in the next! Trust him to bless you in that one too!!

Just 24 Hours

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead," (Philippians 3:13 NIV) God knew exactly what he was doing when he split our lives into 24 hour segments called days. He wants us to take life one day at a time, forgetting the past and moving on toward what is ahead!! This is the day the Lord has made, let's rejoice and be glad! It's a brand new day!! Don't let the regrets of yesterday and the fears of tomorrow haunt you. Live for today!!!

Just trust.

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." (Jeremiah 17:7 NIV) Trust in him with every detail of your life. He has everything already planned out. Instead of using your energy trying to figure out the puzzle of life, use it to trust in him with all situations!! He's got it all under control! Put your confidence in him today!

Nothing Can Separate Us....

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) ABSOLUTELY NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD'S LOVE... And he wants us to know it. When you love something, you take care of it. He has an unthinkable amount of love for us and he always wants to take care of us!! His presence is always there. Let him take care of your life and all your problems. And keep your mind on HIS LOVE - don't let it wander to loneliness and worry!!! His love is all we need!!! Thank you Jesus!!

With Me and For Me

Romans 8:31 "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" God is for us and with us. He is the same forever and ever, and he will never leave us!!! No matter how many people leave you in your life, God never will!!! He will always be for us... There will never be a time that God is fighting against you. Instead, we are all on the same team, fighting against the opposing force - the devil. Remember today as you celebrate Easter, that wherever you go, Jesus is right by your side, and whatever you do to grow his kingdom, he's on your team!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!

The Potter and His Will for You

Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8 NIV)
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, Lord, I will seek. (Psalm 27:8 NIV)
He is the potter and we are the clay. He made us and he knows exactly what's right for us. He put this little alarm system in our hearts that calls out "Seek his face!" That alarm system is called your conscience and it is the holy spirit inside you to guide you. Always listen to it!! Your conscience will also give you peace when you are following the Potter's plan. Do you have that peace? Or do you feel like you are swimming upstream against his will? Talk to your Creator today and ask him, "Am I following your will?" He is the only one who knows what's best for you!!

Thankful.

Psalm 116:17 "I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord." Be thankful for everything. Don't take anything in your life for granted. The first sin in the world was brought on because Eve was not thankful for the delicious trees she did have. Don't get caught in that! It's crazy how much we have to be thankful, but yet we take so much of it for granted! Look at your life and see what you can be thankful for... Maybe you can even write out a list. Then thank God for those things!! What are you going to be thankful for today?

Heavenly Power in Earthly Vessels

2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;" God puts heavenly power in us (we are earthly vessels), so that we can recognize that the great power that lives inside us is not our own!! There's nothing good in us besides Him! We have the power of Jesus Christ living in us!! It looks so much different than human power - let people see the difference in your life!

Be still and seek Him.

Zechariah 2:13 "Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." Be still before the Lord. In this fast-paced world today, where everything is about speed, motion, and noise, it is very important that we take quiet time with God. He wants us to seek his face. In fact, he is looking all over the earth for people who are seeking him. And those people are pleasing to him. Be open to his presence today!! And before you go anywhere or do anything, take a few minutes with God!

Where to find your wisdom.

Proverbs 2:6 "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." God gives wisdom. When you need advice in a situation, go to God first to find out where you need to get your counsel from. Even though you might have a friend who has been through the same thing, that doesn't mean that they should be giving you advice!! Go to God first!! He has so much wisdom that he is willing to give you!!

Your Standard

Colossians 1:10 "so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God," Jesus is our standard. We shouldn't let any human be our standard in life, because we will never be able to please God if we're just trying to be as good as the person next to us. Strive to be like Jesus in everything you do.... And you will bear lots of fruit. Let Jesus be your standard!!