You would probably have read this verse before, but would you like to know how to apply it in your everyday life? Let me give you an illustration to help you.

Let’s say that you are one of those in your company eligible for a promotion and you will know tomorrow whether you get it. You want the promotion badly because it means more income for your family. So you lie in bed at night tossing and turning. You pray, “Father, please take away all my worries about this promotion. Give me faith.” One hour later, you are more anxious than ever. It seems like God is not answering your prayer!

How come? Because you are not doing it God’s way.

Pray like this instead: “Father, I cast all my worries about the promotion into Your loving hands because You care for me and love me.” The Bible tells us to cast all our cares upon the Lord for He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) Then, say, “Father, I would like to have the promotion.” It is okay to ask Him for that. Now, here comes the most powerful part — thanksgiving. Finish off with thanksgiving. Thank God for His faithfulness.

Say something like, “Father, whether I get the promotion or not, I thank You that You will always provide for my family with more than enough. You who feed the birds of the air and clothe the lilies of the field will take care of us. So I am not going to worry about this promotion. You are the source of all my blessings.” (Matthew 6:30, Philippians 4:19)

When you pray like this, all of a sudden, you are no longer held hostage by the promotion. I call this the “thank You” therapy. The more you know God’s Word, the more you can thank Him. The more you thank Him, the more His peace reigns in your heart. And many a time, before you know it, it is morning! You don’t even remember falling asleep. The peace of God reigns like that.

My friend, whatever your concern is, bring it to your Father in prayer and thank your way to peace!

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

- Joseph  Prince (Daily Inspirations)  -

How would you describe someone who is spiritually mature?

Leonard Wedel says: 'A mature person does not take himself too seriously...keeps himself alert in mind...does not always view with alarm every adverse situation that arises…Is too big to be little...never feels too great to do little things, and  is never too proud to do humble things...never accepts either success or failure in themselves as permanent..is not afraid  to make mistakes...has faith in themselves which becomes stronger as it is fortified by their faith in God.'

So, measured by that standard, how well are you doing? Are you able to evaluate your progress, without getting discouraged or feeling condemned? Can you look at how far you still have to go, yet be able to appreciate and celebrate how far you have already come?

The Bible says we are changed 'from one degree of glory to another'. Spiritual maturity takes place by degrees; in small steps, not giant leaps. You must learn to live by God's Word, not by how you feel, for His Word states that as long as you believe, God is working in you. “...The Word of God...is effectually at work in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

There is a direct connection between your daily intake of God's Word and your maturity level. And the good news is: God hasn't left us to do it on our own.

1 Thessalonians 2:13
Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.

- Bob Gass (Word for Today)

The more I observe people in their speech and actions, the more I see what comes out of their mouth not being followed through in their actions. I also notice the abuse of words. Words that are said for the sake of saying them and not really being meant from the heart. Two phrases I want to talk about is "I am sorry" and "I forgive you". Forgiveness turns into a band aid, said in the heat of the moment to make things or situations 'go away' or to make things okay in order to move on to the next subject.

There was this one time when I was meant to share for a Children's camp. I had preached in Children's Church before but not at a camp. I was excited! God had given me something to share about and I to see what He would do through me. We finished praise, we finished worship and then I was getting ready and praying my heart out and then… my pastor gets up and closes the session. Right before I was about to share! I was standing there in shock and experienced a barrage of thoughts and emotions. It felt like I had been shot down! They had taken my opportunity. It was gone. When they realised they apologised profusely. I knew they meant it so at the time I said I forgave them. But I knew in my heart I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it at all! It took me a while after wards to bring it to Jesus and get to the place where I truly forgave them. After I did it felt so good! It felt a burden has been lifted and I was at peace with it.

I know this example my not seem like a 'big deal' to some, but perception is another reason as to why we can be hasty in with our sorry. We may not think that what we said or did was a big deal, but to the other person it was. It may seem like nothing to us but caused some sort of emotional distraught to someone else. You may even think "it wasn't my fault". In this, put any pride aside and don't avoid the situation. Un-Forgiveness breeds hate and resentment, two ways the enemy can easily slip in and before long anything good in the relationship has turned into bitterness. Not pretty or nice! 

Don't take apologies lightly. If you find yourself in a situation where you can't forgive the person, take time, bring it to Jesus. Be honest with him. Talk with him about it and say how horrible everything is and how hurt you are. Get to the place where you see it through His eyes so when you are ready you can forgive. I am not condoning in any way, shape or form to avoid forgiveness. We all know the verse in Luke 17:3-4:
"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.  If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." And in Colossians 3:13 in The Amplified versions it says says: "Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]."

What I am saying is that if you are going to say it, mean it. Don't throw your words around. Forgiveness helps us to live with each other! It helps us to get along a live a life that isn't filled with anger and resentments. In the word we are given tools to help each other live lives in the fullness that God wants us too. Don't put off forgiveness but ask Jesus to help you to forgive if you feel you can't. He wants you to be free.

Free is what a person who forgives looks like.

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.  If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
 Luke 17:3-4 (NIV)

"Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]."
Colossians 3:13 (AMP)

-Sandra Iliev

How often do you laugh? Do you laugh at yourself and the silly mistakes you make? Do you do playful activities and enjoy a good dose of belly laughter.

Norman Cousins who pioneered the research on the biochemistry of human emotions was convinced that he was healed from his heart disease by laughter. He wrote, “I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect that would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep.”  

Laughter is one of the simplest and drug-free stress-reduction gifts from God. Best of all, it is free. The book of proverb tells that a cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Is your heart merry? Did you laugh today? Experience the promise of healing; be it emotional or physical through laugher and joy. Train yourself to laugh regularly even if you are in the midst of a frustrating traffic or the doctor’s room. Laugh or smile at the silly mistakes you have done, involve yourself in playful activities and just enjoy a good dose of belly laughter every once in awhile. Try it, its free.

Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

- John.W

Do you always end your prayers with “in Jesus’ name”? Maybe your Sunday school teacher taught you to do this, or maybe you have heard church leaders and other believers utter it at the end of their prayers.I used to say “in Jesus’ name” very quickly as if those were magic words that would get my prayers answered. Then, one day, I heard the Lord asking me why I was doing that.

The Lord wanted me to realize that whenever I pray and say “in Jesus’ name”, I am putting my entire faith for my prayer to be answered not in who I am or what I have done, but in the person and name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and what He has done at the cross!

Whenever we ask God for anything in Jesus’ name, Jesus says to us, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.” This means that in your prayer for healing, when you say “in Jesus’ name”, healing comes over your sick body because it is by His stripes that you are healed. (1 Peter 2:24) In your prayer for protection, when you say “in Jesus’ name”, you are kept safe because the blood of Jesus protects and delivers you from evil. (Exodus 12:13)

Beloved, the good name of your family cannot save you. Your pastor’s name cannot save you. Even the name of the latest medical breakthrough cannot save you. Only one name under heaven can save you — Jesus! And the good news is that His name in Hebrew, Yeshua, means salvation — healing, preservation, wholeness, wellness, provision, prosperity, safety and deliverance for you and your family!

So these days, whenever I pray, I slow down at the end of my prayer and say, “Father, I ask all this not based on what I have or have not done, but based on Jesus and His finished work at the cross. I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

John 16:23
23“… Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

- (Joseph Prince (Daily Inspirations)
- Jo Voon - 

When you count your blessings, do you count all of your closed doors as well?

All the doors you wished that God could’ve opened for you, all the doors you did not want to be closed or that door that you have prayed for years to open but it never did. Have you thanked God for all those closed doors?

God is orchestrating an everlasting picture of our lives and if He were to close a door, be assured it is for your own good. It may not appear that way when we are hurting due to disappointments and frustrations but have you really trace back that blessing in disguise in your life? I have, and I could see that my closed doors were just the beginning of new chapters of growth and increase.

Some doors are meant to be closed because if you were to venture into it, it may stop you from the growth that God wants you to have. Some doors may open and then close because God is changing your direction and focus; He is not hindering you but helping you. Some open doors may present to us as a dead end in a long term thus a closed door is just as much blessings as an open door.

When you pray for a door to be opened and it does not, do not be discouraged but thank God for His guidance. Thank Him because He is leading you to a better place, to a better opportunity, to a better career, to a better focus, to a better relationship and to a better vision.

Closed doors are no accident neither it is the end of road for you; it is closed for a purpose. Jesus is the one who opens and closes doors in your life. What He has opened no one can shut and what he shuts no one can open (Revelation 3:7). Let Jesus guide you in this journey because there is no better way than to let our Sovereign Lord write the story of our lives with favors and increase.

Revelation 3:7
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

- Irene Soon

Have you given up, have you surrendered? Have you said, "This thing is too much?" Have you said, "I can give up anything else but this?"If you have, you are not in the land of promise. 

God intends that you accept every difficult thing that comes into your life. He has started with you, knowing every difficulty, and if you dare to let Him, He will carry you through not only to be a conqueror but "more than conquerors."Are you looking for all the victory God has for you? 

God gives His children strength for the battle and watches over them with a fond enthusiasm. He longs to say to you, "I have seen your conflict, I have watched your trials, I have rejoiced in your victory; you have honored Me." Remember what he told Joshua at the beginning, There shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with you: I will not fail you, nor forsake you (Joshua 1:5).

So this is His word to us today:  "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."  (Isaiah 41:10)

- A. Simpson

Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman and wished I were as beautiful.
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch but as she passed, she passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs; the world is mine.

We took a trip to Europe quite recently. Being new visitors, we relied almost entirely on iPhone Map apps to enable us to navigate bustling piazzas, congested streets and little lanes of cities such as Paris and Rome. These map apps were wonderful. With the gps capabilities we could locate ourselves whether night or day, with or without street signs or even in the most twisted alley. All we had to do was access the app, and of course, make sure out phones were charged!

Doing life can, more often than not, be similar to navigating unfamiliar territory. Often times, we look around for directions and signposts, other times we ask a passerby the way to go. However, following signposts may not lead to the most direct route and asking passerbys often give different answers (if they speak the same language in the first place!)

The most wonderful thing we have with us is the Holy Spirit, the very spirit of God, full of wisdom and understanding. As we open the map of the bible, the Spirit shows us exactly where we are at and reveals to us where He wants to take us next! As we make room for Him, seek Him and praise Him, He makes sure our batteries are daily charged with more grace, more peace, more love and more of His presence!

Psalm 78:52 AMP
But [God] led His own people forth like sheep and guided them [with a shepherd's care] like a flock in the wilderness.

-Jo Voon-