AUGUST 31

…As Unto The Lord

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23

As we go about life from day to day we have many opportunities to do things for other people. Sometimes one might feel that he or she is overlooked or not appreciated for what one does; or one might expect to be reciprocated for what he or she has done for another, and it doesn’t happen. How do you respond? We must always check our motives for why we do what we do for others. A good thing for us to do would be to determine that whatever we do for someone, we are going to treat it as if we were doing it to and for the sake of the Lord. This will always keep our motives right; we will be doing things out of love for others and for Jesus. When we look at it from this perspective, we will expect to receive our reward from the Lord for what we do and not the approval of man.

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 10:31

AUGUST 30

Build One Another Up

“Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.”

Ephesians 4:29 The Amplified Bible

We are charged by the Lord to look out for one another in our speech. This same fourth chapter of Ephesians tells us that the body is responsible for the edifying of itself in love. One of the greatest ways that we build one another up, or tear one another down is by our words. If we use the power of the spoken word properly, we can build one another up so high that nothing will be impossible to any of us and hence, to the body of Christ. Think of some good things that you can say to the people around you today, especially to those in your family and to those in the body of Christ. You might be surprised at how much of a difference you may make.

Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:1-32

AUGUST 29

What’s In Your Diet?

“But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Matthew 4:4

Your inner man is hungry for something; and it’s not the latest movie, the latest novel or the television program that everyone is raving about. Your inner man is hungry for the Word of God. Jesus stresses to us the importance of feeding on the Word of God in such way that He tells us that our lives are not sustained entirely on the natural food that we eat; implying that the Word of God will also have an effect on our natural being as well. Don’t starve the man on the inside by paying so much attention to what’s on the outside.

Scripture reading: Luke 6:45; Proverbs 4:20-27

AUGUST 28

Watch Out What You Do Before You Get That Tattoo

“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you; I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:28 NKJV

It has become very popular in this generation for people to cut and to mark their skin with tattoos. The Scripture teaches us that it is something that God says not to do. If one studies this out, he or she will find out that both the cutting of marks in the flesh and the printing of tattoos on the body are heathen practices that are older than any of us alive today. It may be a popular thing to do, but we as God’s people need to refrain from such practices. The Believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, made for God to be glorified in, not to promote heathen practices or represent that which is demonic in nature. If you as a Christian have done it, and didn’t understand or know what you were doing, ask forgiveness, repent and then believe God to supernaturally deliver you from any curse associated with the act of cutting or tattooing yourself. His grace and mercy are yours. If you have not done it and you are considering it, leave it alone!

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20

AUGUST 27

Trust In His Mercy

“But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”

Psalm 13:5-6

If there ever is an aspect of our fellowship with the Father that we should always be mindful of (and that the Father wants us to be mindful of), it is His mercy towards us. We need it! When everything else in our faith life may seem to be producing nothing, run to the mercy of the Father. One of the meanings of the word mercy in the Hebrew means to bow the neck in courtesy as to an equal. God shows His mercy to us by coming down to us on whatever level we are on in order to bring us up to where He is; and the thing about it is He is yearning to do it. Give the Father the opportunity today to show you His mercy.

Scripture reading: Lamentations 3:22, 23; Psalm 118:1

AUGUST 26

Tap Into The Mysteries

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2

The Father has placed an awesome weapon for working out our victories at our disposal: speaking in other tongues. He tells us that when we do it that we are speaking to Him and that in the realm of the Spirit we are speaking mysteries. We are communicating with God in an area that is off limits to darkness and its dominion and we are talking to God about things that satan cannot see into. Talk to God today about the things that need to be revealed to you, both about His plan for the body of Christ and about His plan for you. Believe that the Holy Spirit will show you these mysteries.

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 14:4, 13, 18; Ephesians 1:18

AUGUST 25

Sow God Seed

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6:9, 10

Seeds are designed by God to grow and produce fruit. Doing good is sowing “God seed.” The Lord is good and he gives good gifts. We are to take after our God. When you are faced with situations in life when you have needs, train yourself to think giving. Look for ways to do good and especially towards those who are of the family of God. LOOK for ways to be a blessing and then believe God to bring you the increase.

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 3:6-8; Psalm 67:1-7; James 1:17, 18

AUGUST 24

Cease From Strife!

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.” Proverbs 20:3

I sure do hope that this is not you; however, if you are prone to strife, one who loves an argument and one who loves to keep a debate or disagreement going, STOP IT NOW! Everything that we do needs to be based on the love of God. That love is a commandment given to us by God to keep; for our good and the good of others. The Bible says that it is a fool who keeps meddling, looking for ways to keep strife going. The Scripture also tells us that it is an honor for one to stop strife in his life. Decide right now that you will be honored by God because you “cease from strife.”

Scripture reading: 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Proverbs 6:16-19

AUGUST 23

Your Words are Your Meal

“A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Proverbs 18:20, 21

What we say with our mouths has a great effect upon our lives. As a matter of fact, what we say serves as the food that we will eat concerning the direction of our lives. Your belly or, your inward being will be satisfied with what you say with your mouth. And then over time it will produce either the outward manifestations of death or life. Let’s be wise from today onward. Put the Word of God in our mouths today and fill our inward man with the good things of the kingdom of God.

Scripture reading: James 3:1-18

AUGUST 22

Christian Character

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:22-23.

“…for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

2 Peter 1:10

The Scripture teaches us that we are to develop the character of God and allow it to flow through our lives. When people see us, they should be seeing a manifestation of the life of God. There is a union of the Holy Spirit and our spirits and as we renew our minds to the Word of God, what is in our spirits because of that union will have the potential to find expression through the actions of our lives. As we gain knowledge of what is inside of us and begin to do these things, the character of God will be revealed through our lives.

Scripture reading: 2 Peter 1:1-13

AUGUST 21

Answer Softly

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 15:1 New King James Version

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels.”

Proverbs 15:1 The Living Bible

Have you ever noticed in life that when you have gotten into a disagreement with someone that the way the “conversation” progresses hinges upon the way that you respond? If you answer back harshly, in most cases, it causes the same kind of response (or worse) to arise from the other person? However, if you answer softly, or, in a gentle manner, it keeps things from getting out of hand. This is so important to us in our communications with one another. We cannot afford to be in strife because of its damaging effects. The next time that you get into a “discussion”, remember the effect of a soft answer. It will save you from a lot of trouble.

Scripture reading: Proverbs 14:29; 17:14

AUGUST 20

Trust God: Not An Option

“Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:5-8

Trusting God today is not an option, especially in the material realm. This world system is seeking to destroy the people of the earth, oppress them and bring them into bondage. We must learn the principles of how the kingdom of God operates and then commit to operating materially the way that God would have us to. It will take some drastic mind renewal, but it must be done. Begin by giving God what belongs to Him and believe Him to show you how to increase. Then, if you have not done so already, make the decision to get out of debt and stay out. These two decisions are primary when it comes to doing what God wants us to in our material lives. Start today. Take the above Scripture to heart and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Scripture reading: Matthew 6:24-34

AUGUST 19

Wisdom Is Waiting On You!

“Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors: to you, O men I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. O ye simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart. Listen for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; for my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

Proverbs 8:1-12

AUGUST 18

We’ve Been Delivered!

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” Colossians 1:13

We have been redeemed! Purchased! Bought with a price! Because of the blood of Jesus, we are no longer under the dominion of darkness. Let the light of God’s Word and let the light of God’s life shine through you today. Remind the darkness that it has lost dominion over you and your affairs.

Scripture reading: John 1:4, 5; Psalm 119:130; Matthew 5:14-16

AUGUST 17

Speak The Word Only

“The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Matthew 8:8

This is the kind of confidence that the Father would have us to have: that we would have faith in the authority of the spoken word of God. The Father has already spoken concerning every situation in our lives. As a matter of fact, everything has already been taken care of before the foundation of the world. So, whatever God has already spoken, let us say the same thing, let us receive what He has already said, let us offer Him praise and thanks for what He has already spoken and let us act on what He has already spoken.

Scripture reading: Hebrews 1:1-3; Psalm 103:20

AUGUST 16

Let The Word Be Your Counsel

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Psalm 1:1-3

As you go about your day today, keep this thought in mind: let the Word counsel you. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are the Best that there is when it comes to counsel and guidance. Bend your ear toward the Word and keep your inner ear open to Him speaking from within. He will not lead you astray.

Scripture reading: Proverbs 2:1-11; 3:13-18

AUGUST 15

Here Is Faith

“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

In this Scripture we find one of the simplest Bible definitions for what faith is. It is believing that God is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Putting in other words that flow out of these Greek words, it can be said like this: faith is believing that God exists and believing that He rewards those who crave after Him and search Him out by means of worship and prayer. Real simple, wouldn’t you say?

Scripture reading: Hebrews 11:1-6; Isaiah 55:6-11

AUGUST 14

Jesus Is Lord

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name: that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11

Jesus is Lord over all. He is Lord over every situation in your life. Nothing catches Him by surprise; nothing is too big for Him to handle; nothing is impossible to Him. He is watching over you with His Word and declaring great and mighty things concerning your life. He is upholding you by the power of His Word. Regardless of what some things may look like to you from the natural perspective, remember that Jesus is Lord…and He always causes you to win!

Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 2:14

AUGUST 13

Box the Devil Out

“Neither give place to the devil.”

Ephesians 4:27

If you have ever played basketball, you know that an important aspect of the game is rebounding. You don’t want to allow the opposing team to have more than one shot at the basket during that possession of the ball. In order to ensure that, when the ball is shot, each person on the defensive team must “box their player out.” That means that each defensive player has to get in between their player and the basket so that when the ball comes off of the rim they can rebound it without giving the offensive team another shot at the basket. They must “give no place” for the offensive team to get another chance. We must treat the devil and demons in a similar manner. In the game of life, we must make sure that he gets no opportunity for any rebounds or anything else. Once he takes a shot at us, we must determine that that’s it for that possession of his…he cannot have another shot! Once you have overcome him or resisted a temptation, immediately fortify yourself with the Word of God in that area and also remind the devil of what “is written”, and keep him out of your business.

Scripture reading: James 4:7; Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 6:16

AUGUST 12

Everything Starts Small

“For who has despised the day of small things?...”

An important thing for every believer to understand is that in the kingdom of God, everything starts with a seed. A seed is a small thing but the potential of its greatness lies within. Given the right environment, the proper nourishment and care, it will fulfill its potential and grow to be whatever is on the inside. The things that we do for God are the same. The day of beginning will be small, however, that is not to be despised. Don’t compare yourself with others who are moving along at a pace that is not yours. Keep your competitive eye off of the field of others and tend to your own field. If you will do this, then over time the potential that is in the “seed of your small thing”, i.e. “your day of beginning” will grow to its potential as well. Water your seed, nourish it, keep it in its environment for growth and everything will turn out just fine.

Scripture reading: Mark 4:26-29

AUGUST 11

“Daily”

 Here’s something for your meditation today. Let the Holy Spirit talk to you.

“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”

Psalm 68:19

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.”

Psalm 103:1-6

AUGUST 10

Don’t Despise History

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4

History, yes history and even Bible history is good for us. In the natural, history teaches us not only facts, but of both men’s successes and failures; and even more importantly, why men succeed and fail. God, in His Word, has given us the Old Testament as an illustration of how we should walk in this life. It shows us the successes of our fore – fathers and it shows us their failures. God then tells us to use these things as an example because they are written for our education. If we are wise, we will take heed. We will both learn how to succeed and how not to duplicate the sins and errors of men in the past.

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Hebrews 4:1-16

AUGUST 9

Stand Your Ground

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Galatians 5:1

You don’t want to go back to the bondage that you were delivered from. In order to keep that from happening you will have to stand your ground. You will need to establish a root system in your life that is based on the finished work of Christ. You will need to be “rooted and built up in Him”, according to Colossians 2:6, 7. You will need to be established in the gospel according to Romans 16:25-27. You will need to be “rooted and grounded in love”, according to Ephesians 3:17 and you will need to understand characteristics of “the divine nature” that you have become a partaker of according to 2 Peter 1:1-11. As you search these things out in the Scripture, apply them to yourself, meditate on them and by the power of the Holy Spirit begin to walk them out in your life. You will be standing your ground.

Scripture reading: 2 Peter 2:1-11; Colossians 2:6-7

AUGUST 8

Do Something About Your Thinking

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”

Proverbs 23:7

The renewing of the mind is one of the single most important things that we must deal with in our lives. It is impossible for us to be or believe beyond what is in our minds. According to the Bible, the way that we are in our minds is the way that we are. The only godly way to change that is to go to the Word of God and place it in our thinking. Memorize the Word; meditate the Word; stay with it. With consistency over the course of time, things will change on the inside. When things change on the inside, then they will change on the outside.

Scripture reading: Romans 12:1-2 Phillips Translation and The Amplified Bible

AUGUST 7

Young People…Be An Example!

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

1Timothy 4:12

Young people, check this out: God has said to you that you can be an example; that’s right, you! If you will be diligent about your fellowship with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, you can exemplify godly living just like any adult. I want to encourage you today to take on this mandate from God. Choose to glorify God in all that you do. Determine to make your life a picture that others can live by; let them see Jesus and His character on display through you.

Scripture reading: Ecclesiastes 12:1; Psalm 119:97-105

AUGUST 6

Do Something About The Darkness

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.: 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4

For many of us as Believer’s it’s time for us to stop complaining about people who don’t do right. We complain about the sinners; we complain about an unsaved loved one; we complain about the President, the food and gas prices, and so on and so on. Well, guess what? It’s time for us to do something about the darkness. People act like they act primarily because of the satan, the “god of this world.” However, Jesus has given us authority over the power of darkness; we are to bind them in prayer and with the Word of God coming out of our mouths. Then we are to pray for (and make ourselves available) laborers of the gospel to minister to them. Let’s stop neutralizing ourselves by speaking what is negative and supportive of darkness; let’s take dominion over the darkness so that others can see the choices that they need to make.

Scripture reading: Matthew 9:35-38; 18:18, 19; 28:18-20; Luke 10:17-19

AUGUST 5

All Good Things Come From God

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

All good things come from God! There seems to be this ungodly way of thinking that almost (if not every) person has to overcome at some time in his life and that is that God does not really want us to have good things. Many have been taught in church throughout the years and people in the world have been trained to think that God is against them and to have good things is bad. Our minds must be renewed; for what we truly believe and what we see in our minds is what we will receive. If darkness has shrouded your mind and somehow deep down on the inside you struggle with God wanting you to receive good things, make up your mind to conquer that way of thinking. Run to the Word and give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to help you paint a different picture on the canvas of your mind.

Scripture reading: Psalm 68:19; Romans 8:31-32; 1 Corinthians 3:21-21

AUGUST 4

He Did It For You

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Be aware of this fact today: what Jesus did at the cross and in His redemptive work was for you. He was actually our Substitute; He acted in our place in order that we might receive the credit for what He did. He did not need remission and forgiveness of sin, peace, prosperity, healing and health; we did. So, what He did was for us. Don’t be deceived by the enemy today. Stand upon the Word of God today and realize that everything that Jesus did was for us and that the Father means for us to receive every single benefit of Christ’s finished work.

Scripture reading: Psalm 103:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 5:8

AUGUST 3

There Will Be Unity

“That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.” Ephesians 1:10

There is a day coming in which everything in this universe will be in harmony as God meant for it to be. There will be unity. But God is not waiting until some day way off into the future to get started on it. As the church, we are the agents and the example of that unity here in the earth right now. He has called us to be one in unity, to flow together for and in the same God given purposes and to walk in peace. Find out the plan of God by going to the Scriptures. Then do your part by promoting unity and not division.

Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:10-16; Psalm 133

AUGUST 2

Destined To Win

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.”

2 Corinthians 2:14

What a word! We are told to give thanks to God because He always causes us to win, “in Christ.” In Christ is the key to understanding God’s thinking here. The victory of Christ over everything satanic in His resurrection from the dead is the basis for our victory. Our victories are already won because Jesus already won; and He was and is our Representative. So, the victories that God is talking to us about are not based on our conduct, our merit or anything that we have done to attempt to gain favor or approval from God. They are based totally and completely on the finished work of Christ. Our response is to be that of thanksgiving, faith and obedience so that we may appropriate what is already ours “in Christ.”

Scripture reading: 1 John 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:57

AUGUST 1

Keep Your Mind On God

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3, 4

Peace has been provided for us. For us to experience that peace we must keep our minds fixed on Jehovah. The way that we do this is by keeping our minds fixed on what the Word says to us about God. Jehovah is not going to fix your mind on Him; you must do that. Locate things that the Scripture says about God and then keep your mind steadfast on Him. This will cause the peace of God to be a reality in your life.

Scripture reading: Philippians 4:6-8