August 28: REJOICE EVERMORE!

“Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always).” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 – AMP)     “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 – AMP)       1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because the joy of the Lord is my strength, I have a song in my heart and a good report in my mouth. I am cheerful, positive, optimistic and full of faith for the future. I have too much to be happy about – too much to be thankfu for – to allow myself to succumb to a bad mood, much less a spirit of depression. Today is a great day to be alive . . . a great day to praisethe Lord . . . a great day for the Kingdom to come! Today is the day that the Lord has made and I will REJOICE and be glad in it!    2. Today I will remember that the sun is shining up above the clouds, even during the darkest thunderstorm. The sky is blue above the clouds every day. The weather is beautiful above the clouds every day. Today I will know where to look for the sunshine, and I will find it!   3. Today I will locate my joy and return to an internal place of happiness. It is written: “[The Lord God says,] And the redeemed of the Lord shall RETURN and come with singing to Zion; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.'” (Isaiah 51:11 – AMP)   4. Today I will exercise dominion in the interior world by choosing to be happy regardless of outward circumstances. “. . . He who has a merry heart has a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15),  so I will set my own table and serve my own banquet, living the Kingdom life from the inside out. The joy of the Lord is my strength!   5. Today I will rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.   6. Today I will encourage myself in the Lord.   7. Today I will rejoice that my sins are forgiven and I am at peace with God. It is written: “The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will REJOICE over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction], and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17 – AMP). I sing because I’m happy today, and today I will live in the now!

Father, sing for joy over me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

May 27: PERFECT PEACE!

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)      1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because my mind is fixed on the God of all peace, and His tranquility and serenity are flowing through me like a cool stream in a green meadow on a lazy summer afternoon. Regardless of the turmoil around me today, the secret place of the Most High will be the eye of the storm for me as I walk in the peace that passes understanding. 2. Today I will let the peace of God’s Word wash away the worry that wastes my time, and keeps me from walking in a way that is worthy of me, as I welcome its wonderful wealth of wisdom into my world! 3. Today I will enjoy an undisturbed and composed existence, refusing to become unnecessarily agitated over trivial problems and inconveniences in my day. I will “let not my heart be troubled,” but will choose the path of peace without frustration and aggravation, remaining calm and collected in Christ. 4. Today I will find some quiet time for myself, removing myself from the stress of striving in the flesh. The Spirit will be a dove for me as I cast all of my care upon Him, laboring to enter into His rest without pressure. 5. Today I will be a peacemaker, not just a peacekeeper. I will proactively insist on living in an environment of harmony — doing whatever is necessary to produce peace in my relationships — because where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work (James 3:16). 6. Today I will practice the presence of God by praise, worship and meditation. 7. Today I will walk in my Kingdom rights to peace (along with righteousness and joy in the Holy Ghost), and following that peace in my spirit will guide me into the perfect will of God when I need to make decisions. Today I will settle down, inwardly, and trust God with my life completely. Today I will just chill, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to keep my mind stayed on You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

April 10: STRESS FREE!

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2)

 

1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I have Jesus’ peace reigning in my heart…so I am stress-free, laid-back, chilled-out, settled-down, alright, going-with-the-flow, and calm, cool and collected in Christ! Today is my day to just let all the pressure go and say, “It’s all good!”

2. Today I will claim this verse: “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God” (Philippians 4:6 AMP).

3. Today I will also claim the next verse: “And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 AMP).

4. Today I will go ahead and claim the verse following the other two: “For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]” (Philippians 4:8 AMP).

5. Today I will not take everything so seriously. I will find something funny and really laugh at it. I will avoid negative people who drain me and always stress me out. I will have some well-deserved fun today.

6. Today I will take some time for myself and relax and get some quality rest for my spirit, mind and body. I will go with the flow, let the stress go and learn to say “no” when it is appropriate to do so!

7. Today I will let the Lord be my Shepherd and quietly follow Him wherever He leads me. I will bow before Him—not before deadlines and pressure and expectations and demands. This is the day the Lord has made for me, and I will rejoice in it today. I will get my stuff done without making mountains out of molehills. Today I claim calm nerves, regular blood pressure, steady heartbeat, peace of mind, a positive attitude and an ulcer-free stomach. Today I am seated with Him in heavenly places, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to live a stress-free life today. In Jesus’ name, amen.