Truth: Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35-37 (New Living Translation) Thought: Why is a clock that [...] Read more »
I Am Valuable – Day 19
Truth: But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel:?”Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.? I’ve called your name. You’re mine.?When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.? When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.?When you’re between a rock and a hard place,? it won’t be a dead end–?Because I am God, your personal God,? The Holy of Israel, your Savior.?I paid [...] Read more »
The Antidote to Negativity – Day 9
Truth: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version) Thought: Love is the antidote to negativity. How can you act in love and [...] Read more »
Replacing Lies With the Truth – Day 18
Truth: You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11 (New Living Translation) Thought: Many have lies they choose to believe. These lies come in to help us “heal” wounds that we’ve been afflicted with. It’s not actual healing that occurs; it’s a snare of the enemy to gain a stronghold in our lives. Try this exercise: List 10 words of affirmation that have [...] Read more »
Savoring Self-Control – Day 17
Truth: So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 Peter 1:13 (New Living Translation) Thought: Self-control is a mark of wisdom. Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control” (NIV). Self-control is one of the most difficult fruit to grow for some people. Our culture tells us to, “Buy now, pay [...] Read more »
Is Meekness Weakness – Day 16
Truth: Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5 (New International Version) Thought: Mothers like to label their sons as “gentle.” I’ve never seen a son respond well to that label. I somehow remember starting a fight with someone just to prove I wasn’t “gentle.” How’s that for a fallen nature? Gentleness is an expression of compassion seen as God deals with the frail and weak and it’s also His expectation for how His followers [...] Read more »
Godly Tenacity Over Time – Day 15
Truth: If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 (New Living Translation) Thought: How long does it take for a mountain to rise from the sea? How long does it take for the rivers to take the stone back to the ocean depths? How long will it be before there is more usable beachfront on the Hawaiian [...] Read more »
Is Patience Inaction? – Day 12
Truth: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 (New Living Translation) Thought: Is patience the same as inaction? Patience is releasing your will so God’s will can be done through you. God’s will has [...] Read more »
Seek Peace and Pursue it – Day 11
Truth: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (New Living Translation) Thought: When we were in New Zealand, everyone was so laid-back compared with what we were used to in North America. When you signaled to change lanes on a busy motorway, people would actually give way to you. It was astounding. Few were in a hurry. “No worries” is the standard reply. No one seemed busy… unless [...] Read more »
Our Strength in No Secret – Day 10
Truth: This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 (New International Version) Thought: The book of Nehemiah is such a good analogy for our fast from negativity. If I would have seen it early enough, the “40 Days for Life Above the Negativity” would have been 52 days, since that’s how long it took the people to re-build the walls of Jerusalem to a defensible position and [...] Read more »
Fruit Happens – Day 8
Truth: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 (New International Version) Thought: The Bible is so rich with metaphors that we can see in the natural. When you think about it, how else [...] Read more »
When Worry Isn’t Negative – Day 7
Truth: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it,that I will follow your righteous laws. Psalm 119:105-106 Thought: The sword of the Spirit is the main offensive weapon mentioned in Ephesians 6 – prayer is another. Lies we believe can’t stand up to the word of God. When satan tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus always responded to the half truth with the full truth from [...] Read more »
Hope that is Real – Day 6
Truth: But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (New International Version) Thought: The helmet of salvation protects our mind and 1 Thessalonians 5:8 tells us our mind represents hope. Faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1) and so real hope can only be built on faith. Hope is a quiet expectation of the fulfillment [...] Read more »
Testing Our Faith – Day 5
Truth: But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds. Jeremiah 23:22 (New International Version) Thought: Without faith it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) because everything not done by faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Faith is our obedient response to hearing the voice of God. Faith is what protects us; it is our shield. The Roman shield [...] Read more »
Are You Quick to See God’s Will Done? Day 4
Truth: I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon 1:6 (New International Version) Thought: The shoes described in Ephesians 6 were strong, heavy sandals that were durable and provided mobility and availability to the commander. In our case, our commander is Jesus. We need to be prepared to have an intelligent account of the Gospel. So many Christians don’t even [...] Read more »
Guard Your Heart – Day 3
Truth: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Thought: The breastplate protects the heart. The Breastplate of Righteousness described by Paul in Ephesians 6 is not from works gained from the Law (Philippians 3:9) but it is the righteousness of Christ we put on by faith (2 Corinthians 5:21). 1 Thessalonians uses the same motif of a breastplate and describes it as faith and love. But since we belong to the [...] Read more »
Be Real – Day 2
Truth: Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.?? 2 Timothy 2:23-24 (New Living Translation) Thought: Paul is describing the uniform of a Roman Legionnaire in Ephesians 6. A soldier would be wearing a hanging tunic. It would have a belt around the middle to keep it flaps out-of-the-way and [...] Read more »
Preparing For Battle – Day 1
Truth: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV) Thought: When the children of Israel entered the promise land, it was to [...] Read more »
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