Happy Friday!

May, 20, 2011

Embrace the newness of today. It's fresh and exciting! Stay optimistic and look forward to God's favor to be evident in every area of your life. Live, love, laugh & be a blessing to someone in need.

XO

The Power of Love

By: Charles Stanley

The Power of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-6

Today’s verses teach that love does not “rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” This means believers aren’t to dwell on another man’s wrongs and give up on him as a hopeless, despicable criminal. Love enables us to hate the evil unjustly visited upon the innocent while valuing the one who committed the act. More simply, we hate the sin but love the sinner.

In spite of everything that seems apparent about someone who’s been driven to sinful actions, God has created him or her with the potential to be made into something good. Outwardly, it may seem as if substandard upbringing, poor treatment, or negative influences have corrupted a person’s morality and worldview beyond repair. For such individuals, the capacity to love and rise above circumstances can get buried so deep that it may seem nonexistent.

God still considers the most evil and corrupt person worth saving. How do I know this is true? Because in the first verse we teach our school children, He said that whoever believes in God’s Son will haveeternal life (John 3:16). Many of us are guilty of thinking we deserveHis love because we look so good compared to unlovable kinds of people. God doesn’t work that way. He loves every single person, no matter how awful his or her sin may be.

God doesn’t want anyone to mistreat others; such sinful action will bring repercussions or divine discipline. But the Lord does extend His care, His mercy, and His salvation to anybody who wants it. He keeps no record of wrongs. He loves without conditions. And He wants us to love in the same way.

We must alter our lives in order to alter our hearts, for it is impossible to live one way and pray another.
-William Law (1686 -1761)

You're the Victor!

Written By: Dymonique Colon

We are not Victims...

We must rid ourselves of the Victim Mentality: The excuses that allow us to delve into immature and childish ways.

We stomp our feet when we can’t get our way, say “This is too hard” and walk away. We settle for the convenient rather than challenge ourselves to blaze new trails. We dishonor the memory of men and women who fought to give us opportunity. We waste our time as though life is but for the moment; the only thing eternal is God.

We must rid ourselves of the Victim Mentality. “My father left me”,” my mother abused me”,” my life isn’t fair”, we cry out… So we make excuses for rash behaviors and poor decisions. We’re more interested in seeing the bottom of liquor bottles and inhaling the loss of our senses…we numb the pain for as long as we can, refusing to face the growing epidemic. I’m tired of the Victim Mentality. I’m tired of settling and believing that what I am is enough. Tired of going in circles, playing the same games, predicting the next steps and still falling into the traps. Tired of watching and listening to my community spiral out of control, and watching the next generations inherit depression, anxiety, turmoil, lust, anger, and pain.

I’m tired of seeing children with the Victim Mentality; that’s their inheritance from us and our parents. We pass down excuses, debt, and an entrapped mind-state rather than CD’s, Savings, homes, and the love of Christ. We listen to the lies the World teaches us and believe that this is all there is, and will be. We are not Victims.

Christ died so we didn’t have to be in bondage any longer. With His blood, we’ve conquered the Victim Mentality. So when you feel yourself slipping back into the old you, finding excuses, chasing the same doomed relationships, remember: Jesus conquered the Victim Mentality.

Reflective Scriptures:

Romans 8

1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[a] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[b] from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.[c] So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

Peace & Love.

Life's 3 C's

The 3 C's of life...Choice, Chance, Change.. You must make the Choice to take the Chance if you want anything to Change

Reality

Change isn't always easy, but it is necessary to accept change in order to achieve new goals.- Jeanette Jenkins

Meditation

The Discipline of Meditation

Joshua 1:6-8

As God instructed Joshua about how the Israelites would take possession of the Promised Land, He included a vital instruction: to meditate on His law day and night and to obey everything it said. This would guarantee success.

Meditation is still crucial for believers today. In our culture, we are inundated by worldly values and godless priorities. Unless we guard our hearts, they will slowly begin to accept these unrighteous standards.

Therefore, we should discipline ourselves to meditate daily upon God’s Word, focusing our attention on His character and His ways. This involves prayerfully reading Scripture, being silent before the Lord so we can hear from Him, and applying biblical truth to our lives.

Of course, these things don’t just happen. Distractions take away from our ability to focus, so it is necessary to set aside a time when we can be still and listen. Consider the benefits of doing so. Meditation . . .

• Quiets our spirit and provides an avenue for God to purify our hearts.

• Develops a hunger for the Word so we can gain deeper understanding of Jesus and greater sense of His power.

• Improves our discernment about direction for our lives.

• Sharpens our awareness of His presence.

Meditation may involve a small sacrifice of rising earlier or giving up free time during the day. But living a Christ-centered life filled with peace and joy depends upon our commitment to focus our minds and hearts on Him regularly. Are you willing to discipline yourself to set aside time each day?

Take rest.

YOU choose!

Change, it's your choice!

Dream

A Prayer For Today

Father in heaven, thank You for equipping me to be a blessing to others. Show me ways to be a dream releaser and help others to rise up higher. Help me to use my influence to encourage others and honor You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

- Joel & Victoria Osteen

It's a blessing to be a blessing

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your truth which sets me free today. It is my delight to do Your will and help others succeed. Show me ways to be a blessing and help others. Let everything I do bring glory to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

happy spring.

The words you speak can manifest things into and out of your life. There is great power if your words. Command a great day today. Choose optimism over pessimism. Enjoy!

God's Goodness

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, You are good! Thank You for choosing me and equipping me with everything I need in this life. Thank You for being my Defender, my Hope and my Victory. I bless You and glorify You in all that I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

a worthy cause

Hello Journey Mates,

Over the weekend I was blessed to be able to attend an award and recognition dinner held by Jane Doe No More, for four amazing people, Susan Herman, Neil O'Leary, Didi and Richard Dobbs, and Rebecca Abbott . These individuals were presented with the Dr. Henry C. Lee Award. This prestigious award is bestowed on individuals or organizations that exemplify Dr. Henry C. Lee's passion and commitment to finding the truth and helping to improve the way society responds to victims of sexual assault.

The founder of Jane Doe No More, is Donna Palomba. Donna herself was a victim of sexual assault. Through her perseverance in efforts she has over come much adversity. She is dedicated to developing and delivering educational programs that create awareness and knowledge about the crime of sexual assault.

Please support Jane Doe No More.

http://jdnm2.janedoenomore.org/

National Sexual
Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE
Confidential | 24/7

Be aware of registered sex offenders in your area, by clicking the following link: http://ok7.us/2q

relax in Him.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, today I choose to release the struggles in my heart. I release the offenses and wrongs done to me. I choose forgiveness. I choose peace. I choose to let You be my vindicator knowing that You love me and care for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Happy Sunday

I hope you're enjoying your Sunday thus far. I'm looking forward to a beautiful week.

God's Goodness

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me today. Help me to understand Your love so that I can extend that love to those around me. Let me see others as valuable the way You see me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Be.

Be the inspiration that you desire to see in others. Start an inspiration revolution.

What is Love?

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13

LIVE Your life on purpose

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for giving me life. I choose today to agree with Your Word which says I can thrive and enjoy my life to the full. Help me see Your hand at work more and more each day. I bless You and give You praise. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Laugh a little!

Speak those things

Today was an excellent day indeed! I just left Wednesday night prayer service at my church and it was filled with the Lord's presence. We are moving into a new building this weekend which is very exciting.

For the past 14 months we have had our Sunday morning worship services at a local school's auditorium due to space issues. Tonight was our last prayer service at our regular sanctuary, so it was very special.

I am feeling refreshed energized and ready for all that God has in store. I pray that you had a wonderful day today also. Be sure to finish it out with thanksgiving to God for all that He has and continues to do for you and your family.

XO

Choices.

I feel great this morning! I am looking forward to having an excellent day today. I am choosing to stay in expectation of great things today. I admonish you to do the same. It is pivotal to think positive. It all starts in the mind, make the decision to not allow external things and situations to change you internally!

Have a spectacular day!

XO

Express yourself.

You hold great treasure inside of you. God has blessed you with many special gifts. Share them with the world. Express yourself.

Be.

God's goodness

SOVEREIGNTY

But you, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.Psalm 109:21

FROM THE FATHER'S HEART

My child, questions run through your mind faster than a sprinter leaves the starting block. It's not necessary for you to understand all the whys of your life. Because you love Me, I am working out the sovereign details of a plan so fantastic, you wouldn't believe it if I told you in advance. Give Me your trusting obedience. What you don't know now won't hurt you.

A GRATEFUL RESPONSE

Whom can I run to for help? Who understands my motives and thoughts? Who has the authority to make my enemies retreat? You are sovereign, Lord. You are the only One who has the right. You hold the key to my heart and life. I trust in You, Lord.

SIMPLE TRUTH

The Lord knows what He's doing, even when we don't.

Taken from http://www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com/