August 3: ‘NUFF SAID

“. . . but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind . . .” (Philippians 3:13) “To everything there is a season . . . a time to keep silence . . .” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7)   1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I am breaking the ties with my past by ceasing to speak of things that are over and done with. My conversation today will be in the now . . . what God is doing NOW . . . where I am on my journey NOW . . . the truth and revelation that I am walking in NOW! 2. Today I will stop bringing up incidents that remind me of the offenses of the past. I will release myself from the hurt and pain caused by others by forgiving them – everyone who has wronged me, whether they have asked for my forgiveness or not. What’s done is done, and there is no point in my continuing to speak of negative things that are only going to bring oppression into my life. By forgiving others, even my enemies, I break any power or control that they may have over me emotionally or spiritually. 3. Today I will stop advertising for my weaknesses and failures. I will be real, humble and transparent. I will even admit when I am wrong and apologize when necessary, but I will not continue to harp on negative things that I have done or said that cause me to blame myself and bring my mind under a cloud of self-condemnation. If Jesus is faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness, then I will have the good taste to honor His justification by shutting up about my shortcomings! 4. Today I will break any familiar patterns of negative conversation that I am apt to fall into with those who are close to me. I will address the issue head on, for my own good, as well as for the good of the person to whom I am speaking. 5. Today I will stop letting down my ethical defenses and allowing myself to fall into gossip, verbally judging others or speaking things that will snare me and cause trouble in my life. I am responsible for what I say, so I will use my Holy Spirit-produced fruit of self-control to help me stop and think before I speak. I will walk away from the temptation to engage in idle, non-productive talk with others, and I will finish up every conversation today with no feeling of regret and no fear that my words are going to come back to haunt me. 6. Today I will be sensitive to the voice of the Spirit when He tells me to be quiet. 7. Today I will speak words that are like apples of gold in settings of silver, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to know when I’ve said enough today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

March 7: GO AHEAD!

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.'” (Numbers 13:30) 1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I have the attitude of an achiever, the will of a winner, and the heart of a hero! Because God has not given me a spirit of fear, I am eager to encounter the events of this day, energized by my expectancy for the exceptional. Because God is able, I am able! 2. Today I will give a good report as Joshua and Caleb did. Whatever obstacle lies ahead of me in today’s path, my constant confession will be that I am “well able to overcome it.” There is a miracle in my mouth . . . victory in my voice . . . winning in my words . . . success in my speech . . . creativity in my conversation . . . triumph in my talk! 3. Today I will not be persuaded or influenced by the negative people surrounding me, who have no vision or desire for taking the Promised Land — I am of a different spirit! Regardless of what is said in my presence today, I will not allow myself to forget who I am, or what I am called to do. I will go ahead and conquer, even if I have to go alone. 4. Today I will seize the moment (“let us go up AT ONCE . . .” – Numbers 13:30) and make the most of the obvious opportunities ordinarily overlooked by those who are paralyzed by procrastination. When the right door opens for me in the right way, I will be in the right frame of mind to enter it at the right time! 5. Today I will recognize confirmation when I see it, and will have the confidence to act on it, carefully, yet courageously. The Christ in me causes me to be a mover and a shaker . . . a possessor of the promises. 6. Today I will dare to do what has not been done, disregarding the danger, and directing my drive toward taking dominion! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, because greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world! 7. Today I will go ahead and do what I can to help facilitate the fulfillment of God’s faithfulness to me, inhabiting the land, even if there are giants currently in it. Today I am equipped for every enterprise, and today I will live in the now!

Father, give me the courage today to move forward in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.