Delmar answers, “come on in boys, the waters fine!"

At All Times

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises” (Psalm 34:1, NLT)

When you woke up this morning, what was the first thing that you thought of? Did you start the day expecting God’s goodness, or is there a circumstance that is overwhelming you and consuming your thoughts?

Today, I want to encourage you that no matter what you are facing, choose to praise to the Lord. Choose to declare His goodness. Your words have tremendous power, and they open the door for either God to work in your life or the enemy to work in your life. Don’t magnify your problems today, magnify your God!

Scripture says that God inhabits the praises of His people. When you praise Him, He shows up and all the forces of the enemy have to flee! There’s no foe that can stand against you in the presence of Almighty God!

Why don’t you take a few moments right now and set the tone for the day by praising God and speaking words of faith over your future. Thank Him for His goodness, faithfulness and love. Praise Him at all times because He is good and worthy, and watch how He transforms every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I choose to bless You at all times. I choose to set the tone to receive Your favor, grace and mercy. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me at all times! In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Let His Love Show

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“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.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
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.

Look for Opportunity

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains” (Colossians 4:3, NLT)

When Paul wrote today’s verse, he was in chains in prison. He had been arrested for preaching the gospel. Everything in his surroundings shouted “limitations,” but instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. He kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next.

No matter what “chains” you may feel like you are in today, remember, we serve a God who’s in the business of setting people free. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He fills you with His power. He promises to walk with you all the days of your life.

When doors look closed all around you, when your surroundings look limited, when you feel like you’re in chains, remember, God is still at work in your life. Like Paul, keep your hopes up. Keep expecting. Keep believing. Pray for those opportunities to be opened to you. If you fall, get back up and press forward with even greater determination to accomplish the dream that God has planted in your heart. The prayer of the righteous avails much, so keep praying because He promises to break the chains and open doors of opportunity in your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I choose to take my eyes off my surroundings and focus on You. I choose to focus on the passion and dream You’ve planted in my heart. I trust that You are working behind the scenes, opening doors of opportunity. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

What Pleases God

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

Do you know what pleases God? He’s not impressed by how much knowledge we have. He isn’t influenced by how many possessions we have. He’s not moved by our accomplishments, He is moved simply by our faith in Him.

What’s interesting is that faith is a gift. It’s not something we have to contrive or work up. The scripture tells us that everyone has been given a measure of faith and that faith grows as we hear the Word of God. That’s why it’s so important to stay connected to a Bible-based church where you can hear the Word of God taught. That’s why we have to make time every day to read and study His Word because you’re feeding your faith. The more you feed your faith, the more you know Him and understand His goodness.

Today, take time to feed your faith. Meditate on His Word and ask Him to illuminate your heart with His truth. Trust that He is good and has good things in store for your future because that is faith that pleases God.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for giving me faith so that I can be pleasing to You. Fill my heart and mind with Your truth. Transform me into Your image and let everything I do bring glory to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Esteem One Another

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us...” (Ephesians 5:2, AMP)

In today’s culture, we don’t often hear the word esteem used very much, yet, scripture tells us to esteem and delight in one another. One definition of esteem is to hold in high regard. That means we are to honor and value one another. Even if we don’t always agree with one another, even if they don’t necessarily act honorably, we are to honor and esteem others because they are valuable in the eyes of God.

Think of it this way: if you had a costly and valuable piece of jewelry, you wouldn’t just wear it to the gym or leave it on the kitchen sink. No, you would treat it carefully. You would put it in a safe place and protect it. Well, when we see others as valuable the way God sees them, we will treat them carefully as well. We should be careful in the way we talk to others. We should look for the good in them and honor them for who God made them to be.

The Bible tells us that the way we treat others is like sowing seed, and it will come back to you. Choose to esteem and delight in one another. Sow good seeds, and you will see a harvest of blessing in your own life in return!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, today I choose love. I choose to honor the people around me. Help me to see the value in others the way You see the value in me. Help me to esteem and delight in others with my actions and words so that I can be an example of Your love and light. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Put it into Action

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ” (Philemon 1:6, NLT)

The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. If we don’t put our faith into action, it’s not really faith; it’s just nice ideas. You see, when God truly does a work in our lives, it affects everything about us. It affects our words, our thoughts and our actions. How do you know someone is generous? By their generous actions. How do you know someone is kind? By their kind actions. How do you know someone is gentle? By their gentle actions. How do you know someone is a follower of Christ? By their Christ-like actions.

Can people tell by your actions that you belong to God? We all have areas where we can come up higher, but as believers in Jesus, we can be confident that God is at work in us. He is faithful and will complete what He started. As we invite Him to search our hearts and minds, as we surrender every area of our heart to Him and put our faith into action, He will finish His perfect work in us!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for changing me, for making me more like You. I invite Your love to do a work in my heart so that You are reflected in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Draw Closer to God

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you...” (James 4:8, NLT)

God promises that He will draw close to you when you draw close to Him. How do we draw close to Him? First of all, this verse goes on to say that we must turn away from sin because sin separates us from God. When we turn away from the things that displease Him, we are turning toward Him. That’s the first step. Then, the Bible tells us to come into His presence with thanksgiving in our hearts and give Him praise. When you have a thankful heart, you are drawing closer to Him. Thirdly, scripture tells us that God opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. When you live with an attitude of humility, you are drawing closer to Him.

Friend, there’s nothing more important in life than drawing close to God the Father. Seek Him with your whole heart, and you will find Him. Let Him speak to your heart by reading your Bible, praying and meditating on His promises every single day. Worship Him with a humble and open heart because when you seek Him, you will find Him, and He will fill you with His peace, comfort and joy all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, I choose to draw near to You. I open my heart and turn from anything that displeases You. Fill me with Your power to live the good life You have planned for me as I draw close to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God’s Deep Secrets

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets” (1 Corinthians 2:9–10, NLT)

Who in your life do you share your deepest secrets with? Most people only share their inner thoughts with those who are closest to them; people they trust or people they’ve gone through experiences with. Do you know who God shares His secrets with? The people who are closest to Him.

God wants to share His deepest secrets with you. He wants you to know what He thinks about you. He wants you to know about the plans He has for you. He wants to show you things you’ve never seen, heard about or even imagined. When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, not only are you His child, but you are also His friend. You are His closest companion. He wants to walk with you, talk with you and share with you.

This passage goes on to say, “Who can know a man’s thoughts except his own spirit?” As believers, God’s Spirit lives inside of us, revealing to us His very own heart. What a wonderful, amazing thought — we can know God’s thoughts because we are one with Him. Open your heart and allow Him to share His deep secrets with you today!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, I am so humbled that You call me friend. I am honored to be connected with You and invite You to share Your heart with me. I surrender all that I am to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

You Have the Power

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The tongue has the power of life and death...” (Proverbs 18:21, NIV)

Our words have the power to lift people up or push people down. We can say something to make others feel better about themselves or make them feel worse. It’s amazing what a simple compliment will do. When you tell someone “You look nice today,” or “Great job on that presentation at the office,” or “I really enjoy working with you,” those simple words will put a spring in their step and brighten their day. It doesn’t take much time and doesn’t cost you anything, yet with your words, you can bless their life.

That’s the power God has given each one of us. Every day we should have a goal of finding at least one person that we can encourage. Let’s be free with our compliments. Point out what somebody is doing right, not what they are doing wrong. There is already enough pushing people down. Let’s make it our business to lift people up, to brighten their day, to make them feel better about themselves. Remember, your words are seeds. When you deposit life and blessing into others, that’s what you’ll reap in your own life in return!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for filling me with Your life-giving power. I choose to use my words to bless others and glorify You. Show me ways to sow seeds of life into others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Speak as the Oracles of God

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God...” (1 Peter 4:11, NKJV)

When God wants to speak to people on earth, do you know how He does it? Most often, He speaks through His people. He uses our voice to bring life, healing and hope to others. When you reach out to someone, when you’re kind and speak encouragement, God’s voice is blended with your voice. Your words become His words. The natural takes on a supernatural. That’s why you can say something ordinary, something simple like “You look beautiful” or “You can make it,” and it’s life changing to the other person. To you it’s nothing, but when God takes your natural and puts His super with it, it can impact that person’s destiny.

Today, remember, you are God’s voice in the earth. When you speak to others, declare what God would say about them. Let your words be used to bring life, hope and blessing. Speak as the oracles of God and be His mouthpiece everywhere you go.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing and using me. I surrender every area of my being to You. Use me to be a blessing to others. Give me Your peace, strength and joy as I keep my mind stayed on You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.