Daily Bible Reading - Thursday & Friday Aug. 19th & 20th

Here is yesterdays and today’s readings, sorry it’s late, things are kind of in a mess at our house at the moment, we are packing up the truck to head out to Tulsa sometime today with our stuff, we’ll be back on Sunday evening sometime to finish out work and finalize a few things so if the post isn’t posted for a day or two that’s why.  Please keep us in your prayers for our travels and that we get everything unloaded alright, thank you so much.

  Today was interesting in Esther,  Haman was ready to kill Mordecai, he had it all set up and ready to do and it all gets turned around on him, Haman is the one that gets impaled on the pole his own pole he had set up to kill Mordecai on, what a turn around.  That really spoke to me that when God has a plan there is no interrupting that plan, it will get worked out one way or another.  Sometimes the devil likes to step in and block the plan God has already set into motion for our lives but there is no blocking what God has put to motion.  And just like in the devotional, God is in control and overcame the world for us, whatever we face today whether it be a big problem or small God overcame the world for us so that we have the power to overcome any obstacles we face through Him, and in Proverbs it says this morning that whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honor, what an awesome God we serve. 

Today’s Reading

Esther 4:1-7:10
1 Corinthians 12:1-26
Psalm 36:1-12
Proverbs 21:21-22

Daily Devotional

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world"

Are you going through a season of difficulty? Does it seem like for every step you take forward, you take two steps back? The Bible tells us that hard times and difficulty will come in this life, but we can rejoice because God promises us victory!

Whatever you may be facing today, make the decision that you are going to shake off negative thinking and trust that God is working behind the scenes. The more we trust Him and exercise our faith in Him, the more we are preparing ourselves for promotion. Focus on the fact that brighter days are just ahead. Weeping may endure for a night, but when you fight the good fight of faith, God promises that joy is coming in the morning! If you'll work with God, He'll take that adversity, turn it around, and use it for your good. It may be uncomfortable at times, but you've got to know that you are growing. God is maturing you. He is building character in you, and he is preparing you for the promotion and increase He has in store for your future!

A Prayer For Today:

"Heavenly Father, today I release all of my cares on You. I choose to focus on the blessings that You have given me. Search my heart today and remove anything that is displeasing to You. I bless You and honor You alone. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Friday

Well we finally got through Esther, quite the book isn’t it?  As you read, Mordecai did good and kept his word to the Jews, he helped them and kept his religion instead of letting the power he had acquired go to his head and use it for his own good.  Mordecai was truly great, and his greatness gave him opportunities of doing the more good for his people.  He did not seek his own wealth, but the welfare of his people. Few have it in their power to do so much good as Mordecai; but all have it in their power to do hurt, and who has it not in his power to do some good?  If we live by the faith of Christ, we shall be active according to the ability and opportunities he gives us, in promoting his glory and the best interests of men. If our faith be genuine, it will work by love. That takes us to my favorite part in Corinthians which is all about love.  These couple of verses describe love and what love should be in our lives, ⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every cir****tance. If we have this kind of love we will make it through any situation we face, big or small.  Like it says, Love NEVER gives up, Love NEVER loses faith, Love is ALWAYS hopeful and endures through EVERY cir****tance.  As you can read, love is everything, if the whole world had that type of love just imagine what things would be like today, wow!   I just love the scripture that is in the devotional this morning, we sing a song at church with that scripture, its so uplifting and encouraging.  Isn’t that something how Joseph’s strength went into the iron chains? In other words Joseph’s strength became as the iron, no wonder he was able to make it through anything and everything he had to go through, that’s truly some strength.  That’s the type of strength God wants us to have so we can face any cir****tance and plow through it without hesitation, good word today, good word.

Today’s Reading

Esther 8:1-10:3
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 21:23-24

Daily Devotional

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way"
(Psalm 37:23, NKJ)

Oftentimes, people who aren't fulfilling their destiny will try to discourage you from fulfilling yours. They may not do it intentionally, but they'll tell you what you can't do and how things won't work out. They're quick to remind you of all your impossibilities. Your relatives, co-workers and friends may try to talk you out of your dream, but that's because God didn't put that promise in them; He put it in you. You have to remember that other people don't determine your destiny; God does. He holds your destiny in the palm of His hand. If you will keep believing, God will not only bring it to pass, but He will do more than you can ask or think.

Friend, don't let someone else's unbelief keep you from believing. Don't let other people talk you out of your dreams. It's time to get into agreement with God. He says you are well able. He says you are equipped. He says you are qualified. He says you are anointed, called and appointed to fulfill every dream and desire He's placed in your heart!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I trust that You are leading and guiding me today. I trust that You hold my future. I choose to tune out the discouraging voices and tune into Your Word. Fill me with Your peace and joy as You direct my steps. In Jesus' Name. Amen.