All That You Need

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? - Matthew 6:26

For some reason, my home has been chosen as the nesting place of several families of birds, particularly under the eaves of our house. I have never seen so many birds' nests lodged right above our windows and doors. As I walked out my back door the other day, I looked up at a bird nest just as the momma bird was flying away. The next thing I saw were three little bird mouths opened wide and waiting for their next meal. I was reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:26 in that the birds do not have to worry about their next meal because our heavenly Father feeds them.

Jesus then says to us: "Are you not of more value than they?" I must admit I have spent many days worrying about earthly needs. I have wasted precious time trying to figure out how to provide for the things I need, or my family needs, or the needs of someone else in my life. I was even tempted to somehow try and provide for those baby birds. Even as I stood there looking at their little mouths crying out for food, I knew the Lord was cautioning me not to get involved. To interrupt their nest could be a death sentence for them, not a rescue. I realized that when I try so hard to intervene in what God is trying to do in my own life, I often end up causing more harm than good.  I just need to trust Him and get out of His way. He will take care of all of my needs. We should act only when we know it is God moving us to act!

Take time and thank the Lord today for taking care of your needs. He already knows everything you want and need. Just as those baby birds are completely taken care of (even being sent to my welcoming house), our heavenly Father is taking care of us too. We are more valuable to the Lord than all of the birds of the air put together. If He cares for them, He will absolutely care for us!

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc. 

Seeking God's Will

1 John 5:14-15

Parents train their children to do many tasks—from knowing which clothes match to handling money. Perhaps the most important skill we can teach is how to follow God’s direction.

We are blessed that our omniscient and mighty Father is willing to make His way known to us. He wants to reveal exactly what to do in every situation. In fact, He promises this: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Ps. 32:8). Let’s explore how to discern God’s will at each crossroad of life.

The first step is to make sure that we have repented of all sin. Listening to God while holding onto iniquity in our heart is like using a foggy and unreadable compass. After confessing and repenting, we can ask for direction.

Next, we should read Scripture regularly with a seeking, open heart. The Bible is like a lamp on a dark path (Ps. 119:105). The last step involves God’s indwelling Holy Spirit—the wonderful gift that the heavenly Father has given each of His children. The Spirit provides truth and guidance as we read the Word and pray. We should listen patiently for His leading, which is often communicated quietly to our hearts as we spend time with Him.

When asking the Lord to reveal His will, we shouldn’t expect instant answers. The discipline of waiting builds character, and besides, rushing the process may lead to a path that misses God’s best. Take the time to seek Jesus’ plan for your life, remembering He'll provide all you need to follow Him.

Message: Dr. Charles Stanley

Life on Life

Key Verse: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” - 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Howard Hendricks said that ‘You can impress from a distance but you impact when you are up close’. How many people are you inviting and allowing to be close to you? As Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he is sharing his great love for them, and we learn about the time he invested in these relationships. How many people are dear to you? Are you living life on life with them? The gospel is relational and travels well over the bridge of trust.

Here are some possible people you could build a closer relationship with and share the gospel and your friendship: 1) A neighbor 2) A family member 3) A classmate or co-worker 4) A teammate or friend from the gym 5) An old friend from childhood 6) A family friend 7) A person from another country. Decide today who you can intentionally take out to coffee or a meal and watch what God will do during that time.

For more from Pastor Jesse Bradley and Activate Media Ministries, visit www.activatelife.org

Gratitude

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you– 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Our immediate response may be, “In every thing? I can understand giving thanks for family and jobs and air conditioning and modern medicine; but how can I give thanks when I lose loved ones, get laid off, or become ill?”

Yet, the Spirit’s command is unavoidable and unblinking: in everything give thanks. And Paul immediately hits upon the greatest and best grounds for gratitude — the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. You see, this command is only part of the enormous picture of God’s will in Christ Jesus concerning you.

If you are a believer in Christ today, then you have every assurance that God chose you in Christ before you were born or the world was ever created. He chose you in spite of, not because of, who you are and what you would do. He chose you because of what Christ would do for you, at the cross…and then sent his son Jesus to be your substitute.

In his perfect timing his Spirit brought you to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and delivered you from the power of sin. And now he continues to work—every moment of every day, in every event of life—in you and for you. All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

It is the purpose of God for you to give thanks in everything, then, because it is the purpose of God to call and save and sanctify and bless you throughout your life, in every season of your life.

Message: Lassarre Bradley & Justin Huffman

Not Everything You Think Is Right

“To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace . . . Those who obey their human nature cannot please God” (Romans 8:6, 8 GNT).

Learning to manage your emotions is the key to peace of mind.

I want to share with you four important reasons from God’s Word why you need to learn to deal with what you feel.

1. You need to learn to manage your emotions because they are often unreliable.

Your gut is often wrong. Your intuition is often flawed. Your emotions often lead you down a blind alley. You can’t depend on everything you feel!

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (NIV).You don’t have to accept everything you feel, because not everything you feel is right or authentic or will lead you in the right direction.

2. You need to learn to manage your emotions because you don’t want to be manipulated.

If you don’t control your emotions, they will control you, and you will be manipulated by your moods. And if you’re always guided by your feelings, other people are going to take advantage of you. Worst of all, negative emotions are Satan’s favorite tool. He will use fear, resentment, and worry to wreak havoc in your life.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (NIV).

3. You need to learn to manage your emotions because you want to please God.

God cannot rule your life if emotions rule your life. If you make your decisions based on how you feel, then you’ve made your feelings god, and then God can’t be God in your life.

Romans 8:6, 8 says, “To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace . . . Those who obey their human nature cannot please God” (GNT).

4. You need to learn to manage your emotions because you want to succeed in life.

Study after study has shown that your emotional quotient is far more important than your IQ when it comes to success. How many people do you know who ruined their reputation because of something said in anger? Or missed a job opportunity because of their lack of self-control?

The Bible says in Proverbs 5:23, “[People] get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control” (CEV).

When you choose to follow Jesus, that decision includes your emotions. So when you say, “I gave my heart to Jesus,” you gave your emotions to him so he could manage them. Jesus wants to be Lord of how you feel, not just what you think and do. He wants to be Lord of your emotions.

“From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires” (1 Peter 4:2 GNT).

Message: Rick Warren

Jesus Our Ultimate Friend

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.  And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. Matthew 26:47-50

I’ve counseled plenty of folks who argue that they are not worthy of God’s love. Of all the passages I could point to that describe the Lord’s devotion, today’s is the one I think best showcases the unqualified friendship He offers His followers.

As Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion, Judas Iscariot approached him with a band of men. The betrayer stepped forward and kissed the Lord’s cheek. And what was Jesus’ response? According to another disciple, Matthew, He called the man “Friend” (Matt. 26:50).

Judas expected Jesus to establish His kingdom on earth and drive the Romans out of Israel—anyone who could calm a storm at sea could easily remove an oppressive government! But Judas’s interest in Jesus was more personal and political than spiritual. In fact, John reported that his fellow disciple stole from the money box (12:6). Today the man’s name is synonymous with those who betray others for personal gain.

In spite of Judas’ greed, blind ambition, and betrayal, Jesus never stopped loving him; He still used the word “friend” to address the one-time disciple. The Lord does not place conditions on His love or reject people who fail to meet certain standards. He simply cares for us as we are.

People cannot earn Jesus Christ’s love and friendship. He takes the initiative, reaches out, and draws into fellowship those who are willing. We are not worthy, but we are privileged to live in His love anyway. In the Lord, we find a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24).

Message: Dr. Charles Stanley

Led By The Spirit

ROMANS 8:16
The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

How does a person know that he or she is a Christian? How do we really know? I'll tell you. We know because the Holy Spirit "bears witness" with our spirit, confirming in our hearts that we are indeed children of God.

Beginning with my sophomore year in high school, I was an hour-a-week Christian. I went to church, I was in attendance, I was present and accounted for. I had received Christ as an 11 year old boy, but during my high school years I became exceedingly cynical and apathetic. I showed up. That was about it. I even laughed at people who were considered "religious" by others in my little town, and went along with a lot of chicanery in which I had no business participating.

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But there were some things I did not do. There were temptations as a teenager that looked incredibly good to me, but I did not give in to them. Looking back, I know why. Even with my cynical attitude, I still felt the witness of God in my life…that inner voice of the Holy Spirit saying, "You are mine. This is not for you." When I came back to Christ a few years later and gave myself anew to Him, He was with me as He had always been before. That is the inner witness of the Spirit. We may wander away or run from God, but there is a quiet place in which He deals with us and confirms that we are His own.

Message By Dr. Ed Young

Make Up Your Mind To Manage Your Mind

“I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what” (Psalm 119:112 CEV).

The reason why most people are ineffective in life is that they’ve never learned how to fight the battle of the mind.

If you want to learn to manage your mind, you have to be delivered from destructive thoughts. That isn’t easy, because there are three enemies that keep you from fulfilling all your good intentions of changing your life.

1. The first enemy is your old nature.

Paul says in Romans 7:23, “There is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me” (NLT).

Do you ever find yourself doing things that you don’t really want to do? That’s the battle in your brain between your old, sinful nature and your good intentions.

2. The second enemy is Satan.

Satan cannot force you to do anything, but he can make suggestions, and those suggestions are incredibly powerful. He is constantly planting negative thoughts in your mind. He’ll use other people or he’ll use the TV or he’ll just throw a thought in your mind.

3. The third enemy is the world’s value system.

Does anything in our society encourage self-discipline? Not much. Advertisements tell us, “You deserve a break today. Have it your way. We do it all for you.”

The Bible says in 1 John 2:16, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (NIV).

With enemies like that, no wonder we struggle with discouragement and despair and failure!

So how do you fight this battle? Look at what 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says: “Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (NIV).

You have a choice. Your mind has to listen to you. God didn’t give you just a mind. He gave you a will! The best time to win the battle with temptation is before it begins.

“I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what” (Psalm 119:112 CEV).

Message by Rick Warren

Adopted by a Great God!

Today's Reading: Genesis 23; Matthew 7

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15

I drove carpool today. Boy, the things I learn while having a few more junior high kids in the car are so valuable to me. I am also thankful because the kids are still at a point of listening to instruction if I say it clearly, simply and in as few words as possible.

Two of the boys are struggling with the same issue under different circumstances. Both of them feel that they are being misrepresented by their teachers and both are very disheartened by the teachers' decision in their matters. They both could clearly state the problem, the areas that they were at fault and why they feel that a different decision should be made. However, they both dealt with fear in speaking to their teachers about it.

Many times, we find the same struggles in our prayer life with the Lord. We understand the issues at hand and even accept the blame and resulting consequence. But we don't know how to express how we feel about it to the Lord. As a result, we experience depression and frustration, waiting for time to play itself out.

God tells us that He is our Abba Father. He wants us to know that He is our Daddy, desiring to hear from us. He didn't create us to be robots, but His children who can reason with Him. He tells us to draw near to Him and He will draw near to us. Our opinions matter to the Lord regardless of the poor choices we may have made to reach our situation. The Lord loves us and if we include Him in our struggles and frustrations, He works with us to get through the difficulties, sometime miraculously. If we don't share with Him and draw near, we will miss out on His intervention and in the nearness of His presence to walk through every part of life with Him. Do not fear; you have been adopted by a great God!

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

We Have a Trustworthy Guide

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Psalms 32:8-9

Hanging on my office wall is a print that I’ve had for nearly 60 years. It shows the Lord Jesus standing behind a young man whose eyes are focused in the direction that the Master is pointing. Jesus’ hand is on the man’s shoulder, and I imagine He is saying, “This is the way we’re going. I will get you to the destination.” Although the road will be marked with both joy and suffering, the Lord leads His followers all the way to their eternal home.

Anyone who is honest will admit that he or she is ill-equipped to go through life alone. Our all-knowing God created us with a need for His guidance. In our own strength, knowledge, and reasoning power, we are simply not able to figure out how to make the wisest decisions. But the Lord’s assuring hand at our shoulder can lead us down right paths to good choices.

The Lord is willing and able to guide us, if we will let Him. It isn’t difficult to fall in step with Him. Acknowledge that you have wandered down paths of life that led to sin and disobedience. Choose to follow His lead instead by reading the Word of God and applying biblical principles to your life. And learn to pray through both large and small decisions as you seek the path He has set for you.

Just beyond our last heartbeat lies eternity. That’s where our Savior is pointing us. The path may not be clear to our eyes, but Jesus is leading us there with a steady and sure hand. Our part is to follow in obedience so that we may reach heaven and hear the Father say, “Well done.”

Message by Dr. Charles Stanley

Good lives

Key Verse: “Live such godly lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.”- 1 Peter 2:12

Are you often surrounded by people who do not follow Jesus? Are they in your family, at your workplace, or in your neighborhood? Do you view these relational opportunities as a vital part of your God-given purpose each week? Many people who resist reading the Bible are reading your life closely. What are they watching for and what will catch their attention in a positive way?

For more from Pastor Jesse Bradley and Activate Media Ministries, visit www.activatelife.org

Overwhelming Evidence

One of the favorite questions posed by skeptics and unbelievers is this one: "What about those who've never heard the Good News? God wouldn't condemn them in their ignorance, would He?" They usually go on and give you a few examples, just to drive home their argument. "What about the guy who's never been to a church, or that person in India, or Alaska, or Central or South America or Africa?" The next time someone asks you that, open your Bible to Romans, chapter one, and say, "That's an interesting question. Let's see what God has to say about it."

What Paul says in Romans is this: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." In other words, anyone on this planet who rejects God is suppressing the truth. They may not have come in contact with the Bible, or had someone share their faith with them, but they have had plenty of contact with God's general revelation. "Because that which is known about God" said Paul, "is evident within them, for God made it evident to them." We are born with an inclination toward God! It's built in! And furthermore, "Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His divine nature have been clearly seen." In creation and in our hearts alone, there is overwhelming evidence for God!

MEMORY VERSE 

ROMANS 1:20
For since the creation of the world HIS invisible attributes, HIS eternal power and divne nature, have been clearly seen...

Message by Dr. Ed Young

In The Valley Of The Shadow, Look To The Light

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 ESV).

Loss is a common source of stress. You can lose your job, your health, your money, your reputation, or a loved one.

When people go through loss, you see two common reactions: One is fear, and the other is grief. Grief is good. Grief is the way we get through the transitions of life. In fact, if you don’t grieve, you get stuck! Grief will not kill you if you let it out.

On the other hand, fear is a bad thing. Not once does the Bible say, “Grieve not,” “Mourn not,” “Weep not,” or “Cry not.” What it does say is, “Fear not.” And it says that 365 times! Grief doesn’t paralyze, but fear does.

David says in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (ESV).

Shepherds always carried a rod and a staff to protect their sheep. David knew that in the same way, God has the tools to protect him, and he trusted God, even in the darkest valleys.

You might be going through the valley of the shadow right now—maybe the valley of the shadow of death. It may be the valley of the shadow of debt. It may be the valley of the shadow of conflict. It may be the valley of the shadow of depression. It may be the valley of the shadow of discouragement.

Shadows are scary. Remember being afraid of shadows when you were lying in bed as a kid? I’ve learned a few things about shadows.

First, shadows can’t hurt you.

Second, shadows are always bigger than the source.

And here’s more good news: Wherever there’s a shadow, there has to be a light. You can’t have a shadow without light. So the key when you’re going through the valley of the shadow is to turn your back on the shadow and look at the light. Because as long as you keep your eyes on the light—Jesus, the light of the world—the shadow won’t scare you.

That’s how you go through the valley of the shadow of death. That’s how you lower your stress. You trust God in the dark valleys, just like David, who prayed, “When I am ready to give up, he knows what I should do” (Psalm 142:3 GNT).

Message by Rick Warren

God Created Sabbath for You

“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest” (Exodus 34:21 NIV).

The Bible is filled with instructions about rest and recreation. In fact, it’s so important that God put it in the Ten Commandments—right up there with “Don’t commit adultery” and “Don’t murder.” He says that every seventh day, you have to take a day off. That’s how important a Sabbath is in your life.

Jesus said in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (NIV). In other words, God created this idea of you taking a day off every seven days for rest, recreation, worship, and restoration. It’s his idea, and it’s for your own benefit so you don’t burn out.

Yet in our modern society, people aren’t doing that. Even on their day off, they’re working. And even those who attend a church service go home afterward and go right back to work, trying to get all the stuff done that they didn’t get accomplished during their workweek. That’s not a Sabbath!

This is what it means to have a Sabbath: “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest” (Exodus 34:21 NIV).

Even in your busiest season, there is no excuse not to rest. You may be a tax accountant, but you still have to take a day off in April. You may work in retail, but you still have to take a day off during the Christmas season. Even a farmer must take a day off in harvest or planting season.

What are you supposed to do on your Sabbath?

Rest your body. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to take a nap.
Refocus your spirit. That means you worship.
Recharge your emotions. Do something that restores and re-energizes you, like a hobby or a sport.
It doesn’t really matter which day is your Sabbath. It does matter that you are obedient. You may not rest when your spouse tells you to or even when your boss tells you to take a break. But you must rest because God commands it—and so you can give him your best.

Message by Rick Warren

Get Serious

How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.
Psalm 119:2

“Get serious.” That’s an admonition to people who take things lightly. Jesus’ mission was to make disciples, learners who will take Him and His Kingdom with seriousness. Popular cultural religion often degenerates to a casual item of curiosity. But there’s a proportionate relationship between experiencing God’s blessings and taking Him seriously. Those who treasure His ways and search Him out to follow Him to become His disciples enter a zone of joy and strength.

Message by Dr. Ed Young

This is Love

Key Verse: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” - 1 John 4:10

Worship is your response to God. Your worship reveals what you think and feel about God. Your wholeness grows when you understand, accept, and enjoy how much God has done for you. You are not the initiator in the relationship, God is. Before you did anything for God, He loved you. Before you were born, He knew you and made you. The love of God was demonstrated before you ever step foot on the earth. His covenant will stand forever. His promises are reliable. No one can stop His goodness. Jesus was on a mission to lay down His life so that we could live and experience real love. Choose to receive more of His love and mirror how He treats you. Real love is personal and includes sacrifice, and God has brought His love into your life through Jesus. Tell someone today about this life-changing love.

For more from Pastor Jesse Bradley and Activate Media Ministries, visit www.activatelife.org

John G. Lake’s Secrets Of Divine Healing

1. Destroy sacred cows concerning sickness and power.
2. Recognize sickness and disease as an enemy.
3. Get Fed Up.
4. Treat all sickness the same.
5. Treat all sickness like a person.
6. Command not beg.
7. Speak to the problem – not to others about the problem.
8. See people as oppressed prisoners of war.
9. Get clean – stay clean.
10. Stay out of pride – anyone could do what you are doing.
11. Be aggressive – develop your aggressiveness.
12. Be led by God’s character and nature.
13. Accept responsibility for your fellow man.
14. Decide to obey the Bible, not some arbitrary feeling.
15. Know that God is with you, in you, and for you.

Watch Word 2019