Let Jesus Make Your Burdens Lighter

“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up”

(Proverbs 12:25, NLT)

When you see someone who is struggling, a co-worker who is discouraged, a friend who is not up to par, how do you respond? Our words can be what keeps a person going; our compliments can put a spring back into their step. Now more than ever, we need to automatically let the encouragement flow. We need to tell others how much we love them, how we value them, and tell them that they are talented and creative. Always remember, with your words you carry life-giving water. You carry hope, healing, encouragement and new beginnings, and you can pour it out everywhere you go.

Today, choose to speak encouragement. Choose to speak victory and faith. Instead of telling people what they’re doing wrong, instead of pointing out all their faults, find what they are doing right. Focus on the good. There are already enough critical, judgmental people in the world. Let’s be people who lift up others and restore them. Let’s be the light of Jesus in the world.


Let Us Pray...

Father God, thank You for speaking through me. Thank You for using me to be a blessing to others. Thank You for encouraging my heart as I find ways to encourage the people around me. I love You and bless Your holy Name. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

In All That You Do Today Let His Love Show

“We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people”

(1 Thessalonians 1:4, NLT)


When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he began his letter with a compliment about how well they were living. He could see God’s love in them and he could see God’s love shining through them. Because they were faithful to honor God, He was pleased with them and it showed.

The question we need to ask ourselves today is: When others look at us, do they see God’s love? Can they see the change He’s made? Do they know that we are followers of His? The evidence shows up in our words and actions. When we receive God’s love, it changes us. It empowers us. His love takes us to new levels and becomes clear to the people around us. Best of all, when His love shows through us, it draws others to God, too! Today, open your heart fully to receive His love. Let His love show through you by following His commands and showing love to others.


Let Us Pray...

Father in Heaven, thank You for loving me. Thank you for empowering me and changing me to be more like You. Have Your way in my heart so that Your love will shine through me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Discovering New Levels Today

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline”

(2 Timothy 1:7, NLT)


God’s desire is that we continually progress, that we reach higher heights and go to new levels. Oftentimes, as soon as we make the decision to step out in faith and obey God, the enemy brings in fear to try to stop us. He’ll bring thoughts like, “What if you fail? What are other people going to think? You don’t have what it takes.” He’ll do his best to use fear to try to convince us to shrink back and stay where we are.

The Bible says that fear is a spirit. It plays on our emotions and holds us back. But the good news is that we have power over fear! The Bible says that perfect love casts out all fear. When we receive God’s perfect love, we will have confidence about the future because we know His plans are for our good. I’ve heard it said that fear is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. Understand that fear is a lie. Today, choose to believe God’s Word and receive His love so that you can overcome fear and move forward into the good life He has prepared for you!


A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for taking me to new levels. I know You have equipped me with a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Fill me with Your confidence and assurance to embrace everything You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Where Can I Find Love?

Everyone is looking for love. But what is the love we all want and need? If the question of your heart is, "Where can I find real love?" let me share with you some good news. You are already loved. In the most familiar verse in the Bible we are told:

For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life (John 3:16)

To those who believe, Jesus described the scope of God's love. To His disciples, Jesus said, "Do not worry, sayoiing. 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But see first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:31-33). It is only when we believe we are loved in this way and receive that love that we have the securite we need to take the risk of loving others.
 Have you ever taken the first step of finding love in the Person and actions of Christ? Have you ever entrusted yourself to Him? Have you believed the Bible when it says Christ died for your sins?
 This is the starting point. Acknowledge your sin and your need of Christ, who came "to seek and to save that which were lost" (Luke 19:10). It is in Christ that we find the love of God, and it is in Him that we see what it means to live in the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:

Love suffers long and it is kind; love does not
envy; love does not parade itself, is not

puffed up; does not behave rudely, does

not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no

evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but

rejoices in truth; bears all things,

believes in all things, hopes in all things, endures

all things. Love never fails.

God loves us with that type of love, and He is the One who calls us not merely to a higher standard but to let Him live His life through us.