August 21: MAKE CONTACT!

 

 

“Then He turned to the host. ‘The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be – and experience – a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned – oh, how it will be returned! – at the resurrection of God’s people.'” (Luke 14:12-14 – The Message)

 

1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because the love of God in me is enlarging my heart to such a size that it is having to break out (and break free) of the little fortress of selfish interests that I have built around it in a vain attempt to protect it from harm. My enlarged heart will reach out to make contact with someone, even if it is risky . . . even if it is dangerous . . . because there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear!

2.  Today I will love the unlovable and touch the untouchable. The Christ in me will flow like a river of reconciliation to those who have been rejected and refused. I will gladly fill the role of a good Samaritan when the opportunity presents itself and, in so doing, the Kingdom will come and the will of the Father will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

3. Today I will not be overly and unnecessarily concerned with protecting my reputation when it comes to reaching out to someone who really needs my help. I will lay down my life for them, by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

4.  Today I will make time for people and will show a genuine interest in what is happening in their lives. I will show respect for others and make the people around me feel important and special — by making eye contact when we speak; by a firm handshake; by listening and reacting appropriately; by calling people by their names; by displaying good manners; by being thoughtful and considerate; by being helpful and generous; by showing them the real Jesus.

5. Today I will pray for someone else’s needs, taking them as seriously as I would take my own.

6. Today I will communicate to others on their level – relating to them in a real way. I will not be insensitive or judgmental, accepting people as they are and ushering them to the mercy seat of the Christ Who loves them unconditionally.

7. Today I will be kind to strangers, knowing that I may be unwittingly entertaining angels (Hebrews 13:2), and today I will live in the now!

 

Father, help me to make the right contacts today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

July 14: KINGDOM REVOLUTION!

“I’ve come to change everything, turn everything rightside up — how I long for it to be finished!” (Luke 12:50 – The Message)   1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because Jesus, the King, is reigning in and with and through me, changing me from the inside out – in my mind, in my heart, and in my faith – so that I can change the world around me, and make it a better place in which to live for future generations. I am changing my mind today – learning to think in a new way – so that I can enter the Kingdom, and bring necessary revolution through the revelation of repentance from my present reality into the realm of righteous rebirth! There is a new world coming, and Christ is already reigning from there. 2. Today I will disassociate myself from demonic strongholds that are resistant to authority and to change. I will do what I can to expose the death that is religion. 3. Today I will make room for the new thing that God is doing in my interior world. I will throw out the non-essential numbers that usually define me, including age, weight, and height, and will adopt a new way of seeing myself (then we shall know even as also we are known – I Corinthians 13:12). A new definition of my personhood is being written on my heart and in my imagination. The Kingdom within is causing changes without, and is creating within me a vision for real revolution! 4. Today I will preserve what is good in my world, and will change what needs improvement. If what needs to be changed is beyond my ability to improve it, I will get help, knowing that revolution requires a responsible team effort. 5. Today I will embrace the excitement and adventure of transition, even the frightening kind, knowing that life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away! The violent take the Kingdom by force, and today I will welcome the shaking of God in my life, not fearing the violence around me. In all these things I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me! 6. Today I will overcome the seduction of staying with the familiar and the temptation to let tradition go unchallenged and unchecked. I will outgrow my comfort zone today, and will move into the next chapter of the book of my life, knowing that the ending of the story will be a portrayal of my personal triumph! 7. Today I will run with the vision that is written on my heart by Jesus, the Revolutionary, and I will be changed for the better because of it. Today is the day for my miracle, and today I will live in the now!

Father, let Your Kingdom come, and revolutionize my life today! In Jesus’ name, amen.

March 31: SOMETHING MORE!

 

 

…my cup runs over.  (Psalm 23:5)

 

…good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over,

will be put into your bosom.  (Luke 6:38)

 

1.       Today I will live in the now!  I will live in the now because El Shaddai, the God Who is more than enough, is taking the loaves and fishes of my life and multiplying them to feed the world around me—leaving twelve baskets full of leftovers!  He is using my life experiences for the glory of His Kingdom and nothing, not even one mistake that I have made, is wasted as far as He is concerned.

 

2.       Today I will rejoice that He is doing exceedingly abundantly above all that I can ask or think, according to the working of my internal, eternal power.  I have no choice but to make it, because my God is all that AND a bag of chips!

 

3.       Today I will not be discouraged when things don’t work out the way that I thought they would or should, but I will keep looking forward to the next great thing coming my way.  The Lord perfects that which concerns me, so no matter what happens during the day, it’s all good!

 

4.       Today, through whatever conflict or hardship that I may face, I will reach down deep inside of myself and find untapped resources of strength—strength that I have never even used yet.  There is a river flowing in my inner man from the throne of God, and my circumstances will cause me to sing the song that Israel sang in the wilderness, “Spring up, O well!”

 

5.       Today I will minister to others out of my own overflow. The Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant, and I will not take my abundance in any area for granted.  My God provides seed for the sower and bread for the eater, and He is causing me to become the bread of life for those who are hungry for something real.

 

6.       Today I will let God anoint my head with oil and overflow my cup at the very table that He has prepared in my enemy’s presence.  I will rest in the fact that my enemies are still in my life because I have to be vindicated in front of them.  This will enable me to endure the persecution that comes with the one hundred fold return, enjoying all the benefits of the God of power and might.

 

7.       Today I will give more because I have more, and today I will live in the now!

 

Father, help me to reach for something more today.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

February 12: MOVE ON!

“And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” (Luke 9:5)

1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I understand the importance of continuing on my path and not letting anything or anyone prevent me from pursuing my purpose. I will PROCESS THE PAIN FROM MY PAST by forgiving, letting go, and realizing that everything that has happened to me has worked together for my good.

2. Today I will BECOME TOO BUSY FOR BITTERNESS. My proactive response to those around me will take me to a new level of freedom. I am a doer . . . I am active . . . my mind moves me on a positive path to the next chapter of my life.

3. Today I will CURB MY CRAVING FOR CONTROL. I will recognize a dead-end street when I see it and will be able to cast all of my care on Him because He cares for me. I will do what only I can do about my situation today, remembering at all times that the government is on His shoulder, and that He is Lord.

4. Today I will RESIST THE RIGIDITY OF RELIGION. I will move past dead works and meaningless rituals that I have accepted, and have even initiated in my own life, and will seek the living flow of the river of God. I can move on because I am unencumbered with any tradition that makes the Word ineffective for me.

5. Today I will DISCERN THE DESIRABILITY OF DIVERSITY. I welcome change in my life today. I am not afraid to rethink or redo or repent, in an effort to recognize God’s unique way of bringing new things to me. Change is good, especially if it enables me to remain mobile and productive.

6. Today I will REALIZE THE REQUIREMENT OF REST. I will not wear myself out by warring and wrestling against flesh and blood. I will choose my battles, and fight for what really matters, letting the rest of it all go. Today I can say, “It is well with my soul,” as He makes me lie down in green pastures.

7. Today I will DIRECT MY DESIRES TOWARD MY DESTINY. I will not waste my time on unimportant things that are contrary to the fulfillment of God’s plan for my life. He will put His desires in my heart as I delight in Him today by cooperating with His Spirit. I consider myself free indeed today – free to experience the next thing – and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to seize the moment and move on today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

January 23: START NOW!

 

Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity],

because the days are evil.  (Ephesians 5:16 AMP)

 

1.       Today I will live in the now!  I will live in the now because I have realized how important my time is and how necessary it is for me to stop wasting it.  I can do something to advance the Kingdom of God now!  I can do something to make the world a better place in which to live now!  I can do something to help somebody I love now!  I can do something to improve my life now!

 

2.       Today is a day full of opportunity and promise.  I don’t have to be victimized by the swift passage of time, because I have the ability to redeem it.  The eternal “I AM” lives in me and, therefore, time is on my side.  It is never too late for a miracle!

 

3.       Today I will stop delaying my destiny.  I will be a proactive producer rather than a prosaic procrastinator.  I will not be lazy.  I will stop making excuses for myself.  I will not put off until tomorrow what I should go ahead and do today.

 

4.       Today I will move toward the fulfillment of the prophecies over my life.  I will find ways to start making my dreams come true, and I will enjoy the journey every bit as much as I do the destination.  To accomplish this, I will start making the necessary changes in my thinking immediately.

 

5.       Today I will not allow an unfounded fear of failure prevent me from getting started.  So what if I fall?  Stepping out of the boat is more important to me now than trying to stay out of the water.  In fact, I would rather be a wet “water-walker” than a dry “boat-dweller”!

 

6.       Today I will trust that God will stop me before I take a wrong step, because I have prayed over my path.  My faith will distance me from the pack—those who are too careful or too afraid—and I will ride with God on the high places of the earth.

 

7.       Today I will be brave enough to take the initiative in pursuing my best destiny.  I have experienced enough to know that I don’t have to be afraid anymore.  I am ready to get started today, and today I will live in the now!

 

Jesus said, “No procrastination.  No backward looks

 You can’t put God’s Kingdom off till tomorrow.

Seize the day.”  (Luke 9:62 The Message)

 

Father, give me the courage to get started on my journey today.  In Jesus’ name, amen.