Today's Scripture:

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book" Psalm 56:8, NLT)

Today's Scripture:

"I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns"   (Philippians 1:6, NLT).

Today's Word:

It's interesting that the last thing Jesus said on the cross was "it is finished." It certainly looked like the end. It looked like it was over. But I believe that wasn't just a statement of fact; it was a statement of faith. He was saying to His Father, "I've done My part. I've fulfilled My destiny. Now I've got total trust and confidence in You that You are going to finish what You started." Even though it looked like the end, in reality, it was only the beginning.

When it looks dark in your own life and things aren't going your way, dare to make that declaration of faith just like Jesus. "It is finished." What you're really saying is "God, I know You are going to turn this situation around. I know You are going to heal my body. I know You are going to restore my family. I know You are going to give me the breaks that I need." Don't go around complaining. Speak victory over your circumstances. Trust that He is faithful and that He will complete what He's started in you!

Prayer for Today:

Father in heaven, I thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I thank You that You will complete what You've started in my life. Today I choose to put my trust and hope in You knowing that You are working behind the scenes to bring victory to every area of my life! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Mark 8:36 (NLT) And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

Jesus not only closely watched people give their offerings, He watched them critically. He went beyond their visible actions and looked into their hearts. Jesus called His disciples over and said: "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury" (Mark 12:43). He didn't want them to miss seeing the heart of the widow, or to miss the lesson that her giving provided.

Most of us would miss watching the widow. Instead, we would be watching the bigwigs in the temple, the ones who made large offerings from their ample funds. We would be impressed by how much they gave. We might even suggest honoring them for their giving, maybe naming a building after the donor. But Jesus didn't call the disciples over to see the big givers. He called them over to notice a poor widow who gave less than a penny.

Why did Jesus fix His attention on the widow? Because she gave more. "She, out of her poverty, put in all she owned" (v. 44), while the rich men gave out of their surplus. The rich gave what they had left over. This woman didn't have anything extra; she gave everything she had. Jesus knew this, and He saw her heart. God measures our gift not by its amount, but by our motive. A godly steward will give with the motivation to honor God rather than just to tip Him with what he has left over after the bills are paid.

One Minute Please

God is not only interested in what you give; He also wants to know why you give it.

Psalm 51:10-13--10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 

Today when we are living in a world where churches are filled and so many profess to be saved, we are also encountering a church filled with hurting people. Yes those that are saved and in church are hurting, broken, they have been shaken, battered and bruised by life. They come Sunday after Sunday praying today is the day I can leave this here. Today I will find that I am not alone in my struggle. Today I can take off this mask and leave it here. Today I want you to take inventory and then take an emotional enema. Yes, cleanse yourself of the toxins of hurt, of struggle with addictions, pornography, feeling of inadequacies. Purge yourself of unforgiveness, and hurt.  Today, ask God to create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. It's okay to cry if that is what your enema causes you to do, it's okay to laugh, but get it out. Take the enema and let the love of God and the Holy Spirit move. When you are done you will feel lighter, you can go from Glory to Glory with no burdens. Remember God said we could cast our cares on Him. So why hold onto something that He wants to release you from. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.

For years, I have always said that I don't care what people think and say about me and to some extent that is true, but on so many levels it's not. I found recently in taking inventory of my life that it did matter what someone thought and how they perceived me. This is something I am releasing. I carry myself with authority because God said I could. If someone thinks I think to highly of myself it's their issue not mine. I often hear people say if  I don't think I am beautiful who will and that is true. People give you back what you give them. So please today take that enema, get rid of the junk, confess to God and say here now you take it and  I don't want it back.

Then when you are ready help someone else to take that same enema so that they can know that GOD is real that He is Love and He cares about everything that concerns each of us. Get your joy back, unclutter your emotions and heart, it can make the difference in living and dying. It can make the difference in your tomorrow and how you impact others.

Take the enema and live from this point on like you already have what you are believing God for. If you are believing for financial relief live like your bank account is overflowing. If you are believing God for restoration of relationships live like that is done. If you are single and believing God for a spouse live and get your home in order like one will come home to you this evening. Now on that one don't just go get one, because God already has one ready for you. If you are believing God for a job, pick out the outfit you are wearing to work. Yes, taking this enema is going to make all of your tomorrows greater.

• Spiritual discernment. The Lord, who perfectly understands the source of every problem, can give us insight beyond our limited perspective. Perhaps there's been a communication breakdown, a feeling of jealousy on the other person's part, or a mistake we unknowingly made. The Holy Spirit can show us how to approach our accuser and see beyond hurtful words or actions.
• A quiet spirit. Our human nature wants to react quickly so that we can defend ourselves. That's why we must first deliberately focus our attention on the Lord and experience the inward peace He alone makes available to us (John 14:27).
• Wisdom. Jesus told His disciples the Holy Spirit would give them wise words to say when they faced hostile authorities. He'll do the same for you. Ask Him to put a seal on your lips until He shows you what to say and when (Ps. 141:3).

We don't have to react to criticism with anger and self-protection the way the world does. Instead, we are called to represent Christ in every situation by depending on Him. In responding as He directs, we bring Him glory and cause unbelievers to want to know the source of our strength.