Daily Words of Encouragement to Live By

By Dr. Jim Bostic Th. DS.

Life for many people does not offer much to be celebrated. Finances are tight, relationships have gone badly, health concerns have risen, children are becoming unmanageable, and it has caused many people to feel defeated. The Daily Words of Encouragement will lift the broken hearted, give hope to the hopeless, and bring healing for your soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449780159

Dr. Jim Bostic Th. DS.

When you stay connected to the true vine you are connected to an endless source of power, grace, mercy, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance, and unconditional love. However when you remove yourself from being connected to the true vine, you become naked and without power, because your covering will be lost.

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 Dr. Jim Bostic Th. DS.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1-[phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

All Scripture is taken from the King James Version or the King James Version, African American Jubilee (American Bible Society April 2000)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8016-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8017-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8015-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012924051

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/3/2013

Contents

The Key to Your Deliverance

You’ve Been Changed

No More Uncertainty

You’re in Good Hands

The Power of Prayer

Time to Mediate

The Greatest Gift Ever Given

He’ll Give You Joy

It’s Beyond Human Comprehension

Your New Character

No More Aggression

Where’s Your Evidence

Bring Your Pride under Subjection

Guide Your Tongue

Blessing in the Midst of Grief

The Power of Witnessing

Conquering Your Envy

Repentance Leads to Blessings

Living Right Can Bring Adversity

Overcoming the Spirit of Hypocrisy

Anointed to Serve

Be Thankful

Grow in Grace, Not in Anxiety

Give Him Praise

Don’t Worry When Trouble Comes

He Cares for You

Fret Not When the Wicked Appear to Prosper

The Lord Will Be Your Refuge

When Your Burdens Become Too Much to Bear

When Your Strength Runs Out

You Don’t Have to Be Alone

Giving Yourself over to God

God Has You on His Mind

When You Meet Jesus

How You Like Me Now?

God Has a Purpose for You

He’ll Remove Your Sins from You

Consider Your Ways

You Are a Vessel Created by the Potter

You Can Escape the Temptation

The Great Odds Breaker

There’s a Blessing in Feeling Lowly

When You’re Compassionate

Silence Is Not Always Golden

There Is Safety in His Presence

Don’t Wallow in Your Weakness

Don’t Be Disappointed When You Look in the Mirror

If It Doesn’t Fit, You Must Acquit

No Matter Where You Are, God Is There

Put Aside Your Differences

Whom Do You Call When You Are in Distress?

God Is a Merciful God

Watch What You Say

What Are You Thirsty For?

The Blood Never Loses Its Power

You Have an Inheritance

Guard Your Body

He Has Your Back

Stop Fighting

He Knows

Lift up Your Brother and Sister

There is Nothing You Can’t Achieve

You Have a Heavenly Guarantee

God’s Grace Is Bountiful

You Are Connected to the Lord

When You’re Feeling Hopeless

Giving Yourself over to God

Your Life Is Full of Abundance

There’s a Blessing in the Reading

No More Rejection

You Were Created by His Hand

You Have Access

When the Holy Spirit Comes upon You

When You’re Feeling Inadequate

Gaining Knowledge through God

Protect Yourself

When You’re Feeling Weak

What Are You Waiting For?

You Have a Divine Appointment

In Christ Your Life Is Fulfilled

You Have Divine Representation

Don’t Dwell on Your Infirmities

You’re Special in His Sight

When You Are Overwhelmed with Lifelessness

Working Overtime Won’t Help You

If You Are Hated, You’re in Good Company

Arm Yourself with Spiritual Weapons

Whose Fragrance Are You Wearing?

Get out of the Darkness

He Is Alive

You Have the Victory

Claim Your Reward

When You Feel That You Have No Value

Cast It All upon Him

You Were Created for His Glory

Take Back Your Authority

Searching for Wisdom

You Are Called to Be a Blessing

Spotless

Spiritual Makeover

Put off the Old Man/Woman

Reflecting Light from Above

The Lord Will Uphold You

God Predestined You

Get Ready—He’s Coming Your Way

Don’t Try to Figure It Out

You’ve Been United with Christ

Jesus Is Praying for You

Fear, Not Help, Is on the Way

The Lord Extends His Hand to You

The Victory Is Yours

Declared Innocent

Beware of Those Who Conspire against You

For Every Mountain

Happy Is He Who Loves the Lord

A Spiritual Metamorphosis

What’s Your Price?

Blessed in the Womb

You Are Precious in His Sight

Stand Still and Be Bold

Special Delivery

You Owe It All to Him

Do Not Defile Yourself

Can a Man Be Born Again?

He Kept You

When You Abide in Him

Whatever You Need, He Has It

Prepare Yourself for the Bridegroom

Bearing the Infirmities of the Weak

We Are One with Christ Jesus

The Lord Is Your Strength

Come to the Table; the Table Is Set

Why Are You Drowning?

It’s Good to Be Coming Home

He Will Never Forsake You

He Orders Your Steps

When Things Tear You Down

You Are Being Read Daily

Walk in the Newness of Life

The Power of One Man

You Are Strong Because of His Grace

Your Suffering Is God’s Opportunity

When Christ Enters In, Stability Takes Over

Give God Your Cares

Let God Lead You

He Will Carry You

You’ve Been Enlisted

When God’s Spirit Comes Upon You

He Has You Covered

When You Need Shelter

You Have Been Adopted

You Are the Sheep of His Pasture

Be Not Deceived

To Make Your Own Music

You Are Special In His Sight

We Share in His Glory

The Lord’s Still Working on You

You Have an Inheritance

When Jesus Joy Is on the Inside

The Chains Come off When the Truth Comes In

Gaining the Knowledge of His Will

You Have a Divine Assignment

Fill Yourself with the Fruits of His Righteousness

There Is Safety in the Lord

There Is a Seat with Your Name on It

God Completes Us

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

Your Promise Will Come

You Couldn’t Have Done It Yourself

God Has You

You Have a New Family

Set Apart For God

Favor Ain’t Fair

Don’t Lose Your Flavor

Living an Untouchable Life

God Will Fill Your Void

Equipped for War through Faith

Try Jesus

Don’t Lose Any Sleep

Walking in God’s Way

Standing on a Firm Foundation

Equipped For Battle

Let Your Past Be Your Past

Watch What You Say

Where’s the Proof?

When Your Eyes Are Opened Up

Be Encouraged

Why Are You So Tired?

God’s Working for Your Good

A Divine Transport

His Grace Is Sufficient

Turn on Your Light

Stay in the Word

Starting All Over

No Limits

Rejoicing in the Hope of His Glory

Be Still

Dry Your Eyes

Be Careful What You Do to Others

Tried and Tested

God’s Special Servant

Christ Took Our Place

You Are Alive Again

He Did It Just for You

After the Crucifixion Comes Your Resurrection

He Created You after Himself

Thank God for Not Getting What We Deserve

Just Do It

Let Your Lips Speak Wisely

Stay in His Presence

You’ve Been Brought Back

Do It All for Him

We Reign Together in Heavenly Places

What Are You Living By?

Walking in Spiritual Wisdom Knowledge and Understanding

Happiness Is Unconditional

He’ll Straighten You Out

Don’t Fight—the Battle Is Over

Seek God First

You Have Company

He’ll Prosper You

Born with a Purpose

God Does Answer Prayer

Nothing Can Separate Us from His Love

Which Road Are You Traveling?

Keep Your Temple Holy

Examine Your Ways

Be Careful What You Eat

You Don’t Have to Lack Wisdom

Get Your Strength Back

The Heavens Know You

Now That You’re Grown

The Word Will Complete

The Master’s Calling

Remember the Poor and Needy

Meditate on These Things

The Midas Touch

You Have Been Promoted

Have You Opened Your Gift?

Acquitted

The Great Optometrist

Amber Alert

Clean up What You Messed Up

Get Off the End of the Line

You’re Blessed

Enjoy Your Freedom

Stand Your Ground

Your Cup’s Not Large Enough

Do You Know Him?

Your Blessing Is in Your Worship

Make Room in Your Closet

It’s Not Hot Enough

He Already Knew You

Have You Packed Your Bags?

What Season Are You In?

Benevolence Equals Blessings

Diffuse the Devil

How’s Your Breathing?

Where You Get Your Power

You’ve Been Strip-Searched

Forever Is a Long Time

Umoja

You’ve Been Propped Up

He’s the Potter

Is There Anything Left?

It Costs Too Much to Hate

The World Is Not Worth It

Stay off the Dark Path

Taking Responsibility

Who’s Teaching You?

Don’t Be Ashamed to Tell

They Buried You Too Soon

How Many People Are You, Anyway?

His Blessings Surpass Our Expectation

He Doesn’t Need Your Help

Down But Not Out

There’s Nothing Lacking in Christ

Just Hold Out

No Limits

You Can Live Again

Why Bother When He Has It?

It’s All His

Keep up the Pace

Don’t Look in the Rearview Mirror

You Have Juice

No Cross, No Crown

Smile! You’re On Candid Camera!

When You Run out of Yourself

Helping Others Is Helping Yourself

What Else Do You Need?

Are You Asking for the Right Things?

Your Healing Is in Your Confession

Bring the Noise

He Knows Your Voice

Seek Wisdom

Remember What You’ve Learned in the Past

Study to Pass the Test

Pray until the Power of the Lord Comes Down

Give Honor unto Whom Honor Is Due

Claim Your Gift

Good Deeds Don’t Count

Use Your Body to Glorify God

We Are One

You Have No Idea

Making a Change

You Have another Home

Watch Your Conversation

Keep Your Mind on Things from Above

The World Has Nothing to Offer

Don’t Lose Your Way

The Hidden Treasure

Got Milk?

What Are You Willing to Give Up?

You Have Help

Watch Your Steps

Whom Will You Serve?

Hold on to Your Promises

What is Your House Made Of?

The Blessing in Being a Doer

It Has Already Been Done

Game Over

Living Worthy

What is Your Gift?

The Master Teacher

The Lord Hears Your Weeping

Whose Name Do You Answer To?

Don’t Force God to Get Your Attention

You Can Depend on Him

Bring It On

Temporary Setback

Without Boundaries

Giving Thanks to the Most High

Don’t Celebrate Too Soon

You Have Company

He Can Handle It

Overcoming Confusion

Who Needs a Map?

The Ultimate Self-Defense

The Great Global Positioning System (GPS)

Turn on the Light

The Great Prescription Plan

The Great Benefits Package

Sick No More

How is Your Hearing?

No One Left Behind

When You have Had an Encounter with the Master

Do not Give up the Word

What is in Your Heart?

The Ultimate Guide

Don’t Underestimate God

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Don’t Let Your Tears Be without Hope

The Heavenly Vault

Serving a Gracious God

You Just Got Stronger

You Are an Epistle

Speak Softly

Which King Are You Looking For

Hail to the Newborn King

The Man in the Mirror

Expect Nothing in Return

Stand for Righteousness

We’re Like Him

For Him and by Him

The Best Is Yet To Come

Acknowledgments

P roverbs 22:6 says, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. It is for this reason that I dedicate my first book to the memory of Bishop William and Etta Jackson. This great man and woman of God were my parents, and they raised me in the fear and admonition of God from the age of two weeks, when my biological mother gave me up at birth. I was raised in a loving and nurturing environment by two parents who loved God above all else. In addition to me, they raised two other foster children, Barbara and Anthony, along with their two biological daughters, Edna and Gloria. Their older son, James, lived in Manhattan. We grew up as a close family that loved each other unconditionally. This God-fearing and loving environment was the foundation for all that I have become in Christ Jesus. My indoctrination into the Word of God began around our dinner table, and it always seemed to be right before I wanted to go outside and play. We would be given Scripture lessons and have discussions about the Word of God, which I wasn’t too happy about then, but as I grew older and more spiritually mature, I thank God for that every day.

I would also like to acknowledge my late Pastor Reverend Dr. Willie H. Upshaw. Although I always had a close relationship with Pastor Upshaw from the time I was a little child, upon the death of my father, who passed after my mom, Dr. Upshaw assumed the role of my father in addition to being my pastor. It was under his tutelage and mentorship that I decided to go to seminary. He guided and directed me until God called him home. Prior to his passing, he appointed me to several leadership positions within our church family, which helped me grow spiritually and helped shape my leadership skills. I thank my heavenly Father for allowing Bishop William and Etta Jackson to raise me as their own, and Reverend Dr. Willie H. Upshaw for being my pastor, my counselor, my mentor and my friend.

Finally, if you will remain faithful, God will send you exactly who and what you need to fulfill your calling. He did so in the person of my wife, Pearlie M. Bostic. I close with acknowledging my partner, my companion, my best friend, and my lover, who often sacrificed the time we would normally spend intimately together so that I could complete this book. Thank you, sweetheart. I love you so much!

Peace & blessings,

Jim

Foreword

D aily Words of Encouragement to Live Your Life By is a labor of love by a giant in the kingdom of God. Dr. Jim Bostic has heard the heartbeat of God for communion with his saints and has produced a masterpiece of devotion and exhortation to guide us through a tremendous season of fellowship with the Most High.

In a world full of trouble, loneliness, strife, and confusion, it is refreshing to have at your fingertips a medicine chest of healing balms from the Word of God to bring your soul back to strength. Dr. Bostic has captured from the Scriptures many of the ageless truths from the Ancient of Days to motivate the movers, encourage the entrepreneurs, and inspire the innovators.

Daily Words of Encouragement to Live Your Life By is sown throughout with holy thoughts presented as seeds of light sprouting forth into the breaking of a new day, full of new mercies with evidence of God’s faithfulness. Morning devotion is key to spiritual health. As Psalm 1 declares, a blessed man meditates on the law of the Lord and brings fruitfulness to his own life. Daily meditation plants us by rivers of water and brings seasonal productivity out of us.

I have enjoyed watching Jim (Big Guy) in the process of writing this book as we have traveled the world together building the body of Christ. I know your life will be enriched because of the words that God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has given him for us. Feast on God’s love and live your life encouraged daily.

Pastor James N. Hassell M.Th.

Kingdom Christian Cultural Center

I f you are seeking spiritual fuel, food, and fire, this book of encouragement is for you. If you are endeavoring to enhance your knowledge and understanding of Scripture, regardless of your religious experience, this daily volume is for you. The passion and beauty of this, to say nothing of the necessity and efficacy in this remarkable study guide, helps you to see the incredible breath of God’s personality as depicted in the Scripture.

Dr. Jim Bostic masterly presents a stellar array of timeless Old and New Testament Scriptures on encouragement spanning across the year, showing the relationship between your daily experience and the biblical text.

Reverend Dr. Calvin G. Sampson

Shiloh Baptist Church, New York City

January 1

The Key to Your Deliverance

That if though shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

—Romans 10:9

I f we are brutally honest with ourselves, most of us will have to admit that we’ve been suffering in some areas of our lives for many years. Problem after problem seems to be a part of our daily existence, and just when we feel one has passed, another comes along and slaps us right off our feet. Suppose your relationships with loved ones never seem to last, and even when you’re around many people, you still feel incredibly alone. Your career is at a standstill, if you even have one, and you have not accomplished nearly what you had envisioned your life to be. Everyone around you appears to be better off than you are, and life is quickly passing you by. You tried drinking, and it did not work; drugs, and you started craving them more and more; and sex, and it just was not satisfying. The more you tried, the worse you felt. Your temperament has changed. You have become angry at the world; nothing is satisfying, and no one has been able to build up your self-esteem. There is good news; your life can change right now!

Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, Behold I stand at the door and knock, and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door [to your heart], I will come in and dine [fellowship] with him, and he with me. The ultimate relationship that anyone can have is with the Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike the demands of our so-called friends, His requirements are simple. They are not only simple; they are also the key to your deliverance. If you just confess your sins and acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God in your heart, and that God raised Him from the dead, the Bible says you shall be saved. Deliverance can begin in your life; you have just unlocked the door to your struggles and purchased an eternal life insurance policy. You will come to realize, as did Moses in the Old Testament, that He is the Great I Am. In others words, whatever you need Him to be in your life, He will be that! You don’t have to stay in the place you’re in. In our church, we used to sing a song that went like this: It is no secret what God can do; what He’s done for others, He’ll do for you. With His arms wide open, He’ll pardon you; it is no secret what God can do by Stuart Hamblen. One of the characteristics of God is that He is immutable; in others words, He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That same God that transformed Paul on the Damascus road, Moses after he committed murder, and extracted demons out of legion can deliver you from a life of sin.

Try Jesus and watch Him work in your life.

January 2

You’ve Been Changed

Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, old things are passed away; behold all things have become new.

—2 Corinthians 5:17

T he litmus test of our salvation experience (accepting Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives) must be the differences that have occurred in our lives, whether subtle or pronounced, after this process has begun. Not that you will be able to immediately break every yoke that has kept you from His presence, but you will no longer be able to do those things without a sense of conscience. The Holy Spirit, which takes up residence within you upon your acceptance of Christ, will constantly remind you of the error of your ways and not allow you to continue to commit those same sins without feeling some level of remorse. In fact, the sinful nature you once manifested with such brazenness will no longer feel comfortable. The apostle Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and I believe in order for old things (that old sinful nature of ours) to truly pass away, prayer and reading God’s Word daily must be our regular routine. Do not think for a moment that when you accept Christ into your life, the old sin nature will miraculously disappear, because it will not. Satan will not give you up that easily. He will come at you in the areas that you are most vulnerable, trying to tempt you in any way he can. Jesus warned us that Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy; steal your hopes and dreams, kill your ability to be all you were created to be in Christ Jesus, and destroy your chances of eternal life.

However, when you have been changed, you will now be a follower of Christ, and as such, you become the sheep of His pasture, and He knows His sheep. In fact, Jesus told the Jews in Jerusalem at Solomon’s porch, My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27–28). When you have been changed, you are in the Master’s hands, and there is no safer place you can be on earth or in heaven. He alone can change your heart, but He does not do it by force; you must give it to Him freely.

When you give your life to Him, a wonderful change shall come over you.

January 3

No More Uncertainty

Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.

—Mark 9:23

W hen we get out of our beds each morning, almost no one looks down at the floor to check if it is there before stepping down on it. I have also noticed, after forty years of extensive traveling, that whenever I am flying somewhere, no one gets on a plane and asks for the qualifications of the pilot. In fact, most people are so confident that they are in good hands that they immediately start reading a magazine or listening to their iPods, or if they are like me, they’re asleep before the plane has taxied off the runway. There are literally thousands of other scenarios where we demonstrate great faith each day, and we do so without reservation or giving it a second thought. But when it comes to the things of God, the petitions we put before Him each day and even at the altar on Sunday, why is it that we give it to Him and then we take it back? Is it because we think He did not hear us the first time, or is it because we feel unworthy and do not believe He will answer our prayers? So we put everyone and anything before God, thinking that the answers to our problems can be resolved without Him. Some have even tried psychics, while others just drown their sorrows in alcohol. We do these things because our lives are full of uncertainty and our faith is not strong enough to sustain us through the times when we are unsure of our direction or our lives are just full of tribulations.

The writer of Hebrews 11:6 was very clear when he stated the following: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. The first step to eliminating the uncertainty and even the doubt that has plagued your life is that you must exemplify at bare minimum the same amount of faith you demonstrate each morning when you step out of bed, never worrying whether the floor beneath you will be in place or not. You must learn to give it to God like stepping out of bed, knowing that in His hands all things are possible if you only believe. Do not worry or be anxious for anything; just watch God do the impossible. Paul said, Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20). The power that works in us is the love that God has for us working on your behalf, and it is activated when you believe. When you do that, uncertainty must depart because your faith has taken up residency within you.

Don’t allow your limited faith to hinder God’s unlimited power.

January 4

You’re in Good Hands

And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.

—John 10:28

W e spend much of our time putting our lives in someone else’s hands. Most of the time, it’s someone not even worthy enough to trust with our innermost secrets or most prized possessions. However, we do so with little regard for the consequences we will ultimately face when they are no longer able to live up to our expectations. Thousands of people (including yours truly) have invested in financial institutions that we thought were a sure thing, thinking that our money was in good hands, only to see the company go belly-up. We share our darkest secrets with friends, only to find the secret thoughts plastered on Facebook or spread throughout the neighborhood. We seek advice on delicate matters from people who are more messed up than we are (they just wear bigger masks), only to realize that they can’t even help themselves, much less us. We have explored every means possible to gain some sense of security in what the future might hold for us, as opposed to who holds our future. All these things we have done and more, trusting that our secret thoughts, our possessions, and even our emotions are safe and in good hands with someone other than God. One of the largest insurance companies in our nation has even coined the slogan You’re in good hands with Allstate.

I believe this is what the writer in Psalm 146:3 had in mind when he wrote, Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man in whom there is no help. They will let you down even when their intentions are good. However, there is one and His name is Jesus, that if you will only trust and believe in Him, He will not only give you eternal life, but you shall never perish; and no one will be able to snatch you out of His hands. When you put your trust in Him, you become a sheep in His sheepfold. Jesus said in John 10:14, I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and am known of my own. When you truly come to know Him, you will realize that He will be your Jehovah Jireh (the Lord is my Provider), your Jehovah Shalom (the Lord is my Peace), and Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is my Banner). When He holds you in His hand, not only will you be safe and protected, but He will be whatever you need Him to be.

He’s got the whole world in His hands, and He’s got you too.

January 5

The Power of Prayer

Howbeit this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting.

—Matthew 17:21

S ome things that occur in our lives will require extraordinary measures in order to resolve them. We grow into patterns of behavior that are self-destructive, and they become so much a part of who we are that without extraordinary measures, we will die; if not physically, certainly spiritually. When we allow Satan to take up permanent residence in our minds (his playground), he will have us strung out on anything and everything he can use to cause us to lose our souls. Jesus told Peter, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat (Luke 22:31).

You do not truly matter to Satan, but because you matter so much to the Lord (and he hates the Lord), he will try to destroy you. Each time you look into the mirror and hate what looks back at you, Satan’s plan to destroy you is definitely working. However, David says, I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (Psalm 139:14). God did not and cannot make a mistake, and that includes creating you. However, we may have fallen for the hype and abused yourself through drugs, alcohol, self-pity, depression, sexual promiscuity, and low self-esteem. You may have even considered taking your own life.

Jesus came that you might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). The problem is that you may have been convinced of your worthlessness, and nothing or no one seems to be able to free you from your bondage. Perhaps you have thrown your life into a perpetual downward spiral of self-destruction with no end in sight. You need to know, just as Jesus shared with His disciples in this Scripture, that this kind of bondage can only be broken in your life through prayer and fasting. Prayerfully identify a designated time to sacrifice your normal habit of eating and drinking, using that time instead to consecrate yourself before the Lord. Ask God to deliver you from whatever stronghold is upon your life. There is nothing too big for God, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. The apostle Paul admonishes us to pray without ceasing because God will honor your petitions, and there is power in prayer.

You have not because you ask not.

January 6

Time to Mediate

I will meditate on your precepts, and contemplate your ways.

—Psalm 119:15

W hen we stop and truly begin to reflect, I believe we will all conclude that most of our lives are dominated by the busyness of this world. It seems that we all have a smartphone, iPad or some type of electronic device that will allow us to make and keep our appointments, while we are on the run. On a daily basis, many of us go from one situation to another without ever slowing down, and we rarely take the time out for contemplation. If we do, it is usually about the problems we face, the bills we cannot pay, our broken relationships, or our children who have grown out of control. Within the Word of God is an answer for all our questions and a solution to every problem we face. However, we seek remedies for the busyness in our life and the problems we face from sources incapable of doing anything more than exasperating an already frustrating or depressing situation. The good news is that God has given us a road map to follow, which is the Word of God, as we journey through the dark valleys of this life. The Bible is designed to draw us closer to the Lord and equip us for the attacks of the Devil. However, if it is like many of the books we have in our home, it merely sits on a shelf and no one has or makes the time to even open it. Imagine having the key that unlocks the mystery to all your problems right in your home, within arm’s reach, and not having enough good sense to open it and meditate on its content.

The apostle Paul said in a letter to the church at Philippi, Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8). I do not know of anything that encapsulates all of those characteristics and more, other than the Word of God. If you will block out some time each day to prayerfully meditate on the Word of God, you will begin to clearly hear His voice. Then watch the change begin to come over you in every aspect of your life.

Think on these things.

January 7

The Greatest Gift Ever Given

For God so the loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

—John 3:16

I can remember as a little child growing up in the middle to late 1950s the excitement generated around the Christmas holiday in our meager apartment. We did not have much as a family, except a lot of love and fond memories, but the thought of Christmas-time always seemed to heighten the anxiety around our house. We were young, and although the celebration should have been focused on the birth of Christ, that had nothing to do with our excitement. We just could not wait to see what was going to be wrapped under our Christmas tree with our names on it. When Christmas Day actually arrived, there were many times when we were completely satisfied, yet there were times when we did not get what we had hoped for, so we were a little disappointed. No, we were not crazy enough to let Mom and Dad know, but I can confidently say it now that God has called them home. But even when we received the best gifts that we could have possibly hoped for, they would be broken or useless within about a month. They never seemed to last very long.

However, there is a gift, the greatest gift ever given: if we accept Him into our lives as Lord and our personal Savior, we shall be granted eternal life. His name is Jesus, and He was given unconditionally because God loved us so much that He did not want any of us to perish from our sinful lifestyles. What makes this gift so special is that it was given by God our Father, it was His only begotten Son, and we didn’t or couldn’t do anything to deserve it; and Jesus was the only one who could satisfy the conditions of this gift. All that is required is that we confess our sins and believe in Him.

If you have not already done so, make today your Christmas and accept the greatest gift ever given.

January 8

He’ll Give You Joy

For his anger endureth but for a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

—Psalm 30:5

R ecently the East Coast was slammed with Hurricane Sandy, followed by Hurricane Lee, which left massive devastation throughout much of the Eastern Seaboard. Torrential rains and winds in excess of fifty miles per hour swooped down upon us, causing billions of dollars of damage to homes, businesses, and faith-based institutions, and just about no one was exempt from the destruction. Our lives often mirror the devastation left by major hurricanes in that we seem to face one crisis that drains us of all our emotional and physical resources, and no sooner do we get over that situation, or sometimes while we are still in the midst of that crisis, than another one hits us. It leaves us feeling broken and hopeless. Tragedy like this causes us to lose hope and often feel as if God has forgotten us.

This could not be further from the truth. Trials come into our lives that we might become strong enough to face whatever challenges are waiting for us up the road. Immediately after the hurricanes passed, the next several days were some of the most beautiful days we had experienced all year. It reminded me of this song of praise penned by King David, that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

After the storm comes a beautiful rainbow, just as after your trials and tribulations, if you will just hold out and stay faithful, your season of joy (abundance, prosperity, healing, promotion, increase, and completion) will also come. Our problem is that our faith is weak. We don’t believe that God still hears us while we are going through such things—or that we even matter to Him. After all, He has the rest of the people in the world to be concerned about. However, you need to know that God has you on His mind, and He does not desire that you should suffer indefinitely. David knew this, and that is why he continued to cry unto the Lord in the midst of his trials. It would do you well to learn this lesson also.

Learn how to praise your way out of your tears.

January 9

It’s Beyond Human Comprehension

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 4:7

S ometimes it seems as if life is just full of noise. You are around some people who talk too much. It is as if they love to hear themselves talk, so they never shut up. You are never quite sure what they are talking about, but you know they are just making too much noise. Even when you are at home, you might have people coming in and out, doors slamming, phones ringing, and sirens blasting outside your window, making you want to scream. The madness does not stop there; for many of us, the workplace is a ball of mass confusion. Everybody wants something from you, and nobody seems to realize you are on edge, so one after the other puts forth his petition: Can you do this? Can you help me with that? I need you over here. They need you over there … It never seems to stop. Then there is the trip home. The traffic is backed up, and everybody has road rage. Horns are honking, no one has any patience, and your life is full of noise and confusion. When those moments get the best of us, we must remember what the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

The peace we obtain through our meditation on him was not given by man, and man cannot take it away. Therefore, his peace shall guard our hearts and minds and keep them stayed on Him. The noise and confusion around us will not even matter. This peace is beyond human comprehension because it comes from above. In addition to guarding our hearts and minds, it keeps us from saying and doing those things that are displeasing in His sight, brought on by the environment around us. When the peace of our Lord is upon you, you can be in the midst of noise and confusion and still give Him the highest praise and the glory. Those around you will be amazed at your demeanor, and because it comes from Him, they may never understand it. Let Him be your Jehovah Shalom—the Lord is my Peace!

I have his peace so bring the noise.

January 10

Your New Character

Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering …

—Colossians 3:12

I n an earlier passage of Scripture, we talked about how when you are born again, a change will come over you. Paul said it this way: Therefore brethren if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is not just your title (Christian, or child of God) that has become new. You will no longer have that same cantankerous spirit you perhaps once possessed; you will not feel comfortable going to some of the same places, you used to frequent; and you won’t have the same desire to associate with many of the people you spent much of your time with before you were saved. You will quickly come to realize that light and darkness cannot dwell in the same space. The Holy Spirit who now has taken up residency in you will make it very uncomfortable for you to do those same things as before. Being a new creation, your character will undergo a great change. You are the elect or chosen of God, and as such, you should reflect those traits demonstrated by Jesus during His three-and-one-half-year ministry here on Earth.

You are holy because God is holy. In his letter to the church at Rome, the apostle Paul admonished them: I beseech you, brethren, present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1). People ought to be able to tell that you are a Christian by your actions, not your commercials. There should be an outward demonstration of your new character that reflects having compassion and showing benevolence toward others while exemplifying a spirit of submissiveness, humbleness, and patience toward our neighbors. God loved us so much that He gave us the best He had, His only begotten Son. We can show Him our appreciation by receiving His Son in our lives and taking on our new characters. The old folks used to sing a song in our church about something on the inside working on the outside—and oh, what a change in one’s life. We would be well served if we lived out the meaning of those words.

It’s not the clothing you wear on the outside but the change that has occurred on the inside that makes the difference.

January 11

No More Aggression

Meekness and temperance, against such there is no law.

—Galatians 5:23

I often wonder how much better off our society would be if all people would work at demonstrating self-control. How many fewer arguments would there be? How much less road rage would occur? How many fewer fights, and ultimately how many people would still be alive if they would have just been able to exemplify some level of self-control? Even the spirit of gentleness seems to elude far too many of us professed-to-be Christians, and we find ourselves portraying hard exteriors. Because of unjustified and suspicious natures, people will sometimes snap at us without even knowing our intentions. We assume that everybody approaching us has bad intentions. However, as children of God, we should never allow the environment to control our temperaments. The power of the Spirit working in and through us will manifest fruit and cause us to be in perfect unity with Christ.

This unity with Christ will foster and develop an attitude of humility in the believer. The apostle Paul said, For I say through the grace given unto me, to everyone who is among you, not to think more highly of himself than you ought to think (Romans 12:3). There is no place for arrogance in the body of Christ; the believer should exemplify humility even toward his enemies, just as Christ did when He walked the earth. Demonstrating meekness is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of the power of the Spirit manifesting Himself in your life. The believer must also embody self-control, particularly in the most difficult circumstances, when it would be so much easier just to lose it. The old sin nature that would cause us to have emotional outbursts or say things we do not really mean is passed away, replaced with the fruit of the Spirit: temperance. God cannot use us when we lose our self-control, but by illustrating meekness and temperance in every aspect of our life, the power of the Spirit can work in and through us that God might get the ultimate glory.

Unless you humble yourself as a little child, you cannot see the kingdom of heaven.

January 12

Where’s Your Evidence

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

—Hebrews 11:6

A s Christians, we often face difficult situations and circumstances that challenge our faith. In fact, it seems as if when we accept Christ into our lives as Lord and Savior, that is when Satan really begins to get busy in our lives. Even when we are professed Christians and doing our best to live in accordance with God’s Word, the great deceiver (Satan) gets on our trail. The apostle Paul said it this way: I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me (Romans 7:21). Therefore, we are constantly fighting off situations in our lives when our old sin nature rears its ugly head and puts our faith to the test. We need to know that without a test, we cannot receive a passing grade, and if there is no cross, then there is no crown. These trials and temptations make us stronger and prepare us for what God has in store for us in our lives. A soldier does not go to war without first completing boot camp, and police officers must complete thirteen weeks in the police academy before they are ready to face our dangerous streets.

Likewise, it is not enough just to talk about the goodness of Jesus; sometimes you have to put your faith to the test. I recently bought a Chrysler 300C with the Hemi engine, and many immediately wanted to know if I had tested it out on the road yet. In others words, it was not enough just to own it. If I had not put it to the test, I did not really have any evidence of how well the car would run. It is the same with your faith. You must put it to the test, or you will never experience the true power of God working for the good in your life. When you are going through something, give it to the Lord in prayer and then watch Him work on your behalf. It may not happen when you want it to, but God is always right on time.

You cannot effectively witness if you have never put your faith to the test.

January 13

Bring Your Pride under Subjection

With all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.

—Ephesians 4:2

O ne of the greatest sins we can possess is that of too much pride. Many great leaders have fallen because of their pride. Satan’s fall from heaven was because he had too much pride. Isaiah 14:13 says, For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, on the farthest sides of the north. Satan is condemned to eternal damnation because of his pride, and we will surely pay a serious price for ours as well. In his letter to the church at Rome the apostle Paul warned, For I say , through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). We must all come to realize that it is not about us; it’s about Him. In everything we do, God should get the glory, honor, and praise. We must learn to bring our pride under subjection, humble ourselves, and have patience with one another.

Consider the lowliness of Jesus. He was born in a manger, He was meek and lowly at heart, He said He did not come to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). He washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:2–5), He had nowhere to lay His head (Matthew 8:20), His entire ministry was spent ministering to others, He forgave His accusers (Luke 23:34), and He was buried in another man’s tomb (Matthew 27:57,58). If He did all of that as King of kings and Lord of lords, how much more is expected of us?

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before the fall (Proverbs 16:18). If you are to receive the blessings of the Lord in your life, you must render your pride under subjection to the Word of God. You must be willing to demonstrate humility in your interactions with others and be prepared to show the love of Christ Jesus in your dealings with them. Just as in the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25–37, learn to love your neighbor as yourself, regardless of the situation you find them in. After all, Jesus loved us enough even in our sinful nature to offer His life as a living sacrifice for our sins. How can we say we love the Lord if we do not love our brother? There is no room in the kingdom of God for pride and arrogance. Just exemplifying a humble spirit like a little child is the key to entering the kingdom of God.

When you fall because of pride, it’s a long way getting back up.

January 14

Guide Your Tongue

Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

—Palms 34:13

O ne of the most powerful weapons known to mankind is the power of the tongue. Many nations have been destroyed, wars have been created, great leaders have been toppled, marriages have been broken, relationships have been severed, people have been falsely accused, innocent people have been convicted, feelings have been badly hurt, and the just declared unjust, all because of the power of the tongue. Here in America, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and entire cities burned to the ground because of the tongue. The city of Rosewood, Florida, was burned to the ground, and numerous African Americans and a few whites were savagely killed, castrated, and burned to death because of the lie. Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Chose life as the power in your tongue and watch the blessings of the Lord rain down. Use your tongue to encourage others, to help heal broken hearts, and to mend severed relationships. Use your tongue to pick someone up when he is fallen down, to give hope to the hopeless, and to strengthen the weak. Bring joy where there is sorrow, calm in the midst of confusion, love where there is hatred, healing where there is sickness, and prosperity where there is poverty. Bring peace where there is war, light where there is darkness, and salvation where there is sin. With your tongue, life can be created, knowledge can be obtained, aspirations can be achieved, inspiration can be given, motivation can be spoken, affirmation can be enunciated, confirmation can be communicated, and the Word of God can be penetrated.

Too often, our tongues are used to say hurtful things that we do not mean. Other times, we use our tongues to say spiteful things we do mean. Countless people have said horrible things to loved ones, only to have them pass away before they had an opportunity to say they were sorry. What a terrible way to reflect on someone you love after that person is gone.

Chose life, not death, as the power in your tongue.

January 15

Blessing in the Midst of Grief

Though he causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.

—Lamentation 3:32

I f we look closely, we will find that many of the afflictions we encounter in our lives are self-inflicted. They are brought on by our own actions, by our disobedience to God’s Word, by listening to the wrong people, or by just being obstinate. Several character traits that we often demonstrate cause grief to come into our lives. Here are just a few:

Pride—excessive belief in one’s own ability

Envy—the desires of others’ traits, statuses, abilities, or situations

Gluttony—an inordinate desire to consume more than one requires

Lust—inordinate cravings for the pleasures of the body

Anger—manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury

Greed—the desires for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual

Sloth—the avoidance of physical or spiritual work

When these seven deadly sins are part of your character, they will almost surely bring grief and affliction into your life. However, grief and affliction can also come upon you because of an injustice or as part of God’s permissive will. Either way, God does not delight when we suffer grief or affliction. The Scriptures say, For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). God does allow affliction to come into our lives, but when it is self-inflicted, His anger is but for a moment, and He always provides a way of escape, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but