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

Brighter Days Ahead
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day" (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)

Are you facing a situation that seems dark today? As a believer, God promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter as you seek His truth and righteousness in every situation. What is righteousness? Righteousness is simply being in right standing with God. Being in right standing with God is about submitting your life to Him. It's about obeying His commands and seeking His plan for your life on a daily basis. As you seek Him, the light of God's Word will guide you in every decision you have to make.

No matter what you may be facing today, take time to ask the Lord to shine His light on you. Ask Him to confirm His plan for you. As you continue pursuing His truth and righteousness, as you continue to make His Word a priority in your life, you will experience more of His blessings. You'll see those brighter days as you move forward in the good plan He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I know that You have a wonderful plan and purpose for me. I desire to be in right standing with You. Show me Your ways and teach me to walk righteously before You. Shine Your light in my heart and give me strength to pursue the path You have in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen!

Overcoming Disappointments
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past" (Isaiah 43:18, NIV)

The Bible tells us that every person, no matter how much faith they have or how good they are, will face disappointments. It may be something simple like not getting the promotion you hoped for, or not closing a business deal you worked so hard on. Maybe you didn't qualify for a house you really wanted, or maybe something more serious happened like a relationship not working out, the death of a loved one, or some kind of illness in your body. Whatever it may be, the reality is that we're all going to suffer some setbacks. I believe one of the main keys to overcoming disappointments is learning to let go of the past.

If you feel "stuck" today, you may want to examine what you're holding on to. Be willing let go of past disappointments by choosing forgiveness. Who hurt you? Who wronged you? Release it to God. Do you need to forgive yourself? Do you need to receive God's forgiveness? Make the choice today to forgive. Let go of the past so you can overcome disappointments and experience the bright future God has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, search my heart and mind today. Show me any area where I may be holding on to the past. Help me to receive Your forgiveness so that I can extend forgiveness to others and move forward in the wonderful plan You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen!

Setup for a Comeback
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again" (Proverbs 24:16a, NIV)

Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you got some bad news concerning your health, or maybe a relationship didn't work out. That was a setback. It's easy to get discouraged, lose your enthusiasm, or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we're going to see God's best, we have to have a "bounce-back" mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don't stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it's a setup for a comeback!

Remember, as a believer, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny. If you stay in faith and keep a good attitude, you will rise again. God will turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and you'll move forward into the victory He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for setting me up for success in everything I do. I choose to trust and rely on You knowing that Your plans are for my good. I know my best days are ahead of me and look ahead to the blessings You have in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen!

It's Your Time

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"The vision is yet for an appointed time…" (Habakkuk 2:3, NKJ)

God has planted seeds of greatness on the inside of you. He has predestined that those things in your heart come to pass. You may have had more than your share of unfair things happen in your life. You probably have plenty of reasons to just settle where you are. But understand, the depth of your past is an indication of the height of your future. In other words, if you've been through a lot of negative things in the past, it just means that your future is bigger and brighter and greater than you can even imagine. It's your time to step out and embrace all that God has for you!

Are there dreams and promises that you've let go of? Are there things that God has placed in your heart that you've given up on? Today is the day to give your dreams a new beginning. Today is the day to allow faith to rise in your heart. Remember, what's happened to you is not nearly as important as what's happened in you. Today, you are stronger and wiser than ever before. It's your time and your season to move forward into the destiny that God has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for the destiny that You have deposited into my heart. I choose to stand in faith knowing that You are working behind the scenes. Give me strength and wisdom to follow Your leading so that I can embrace all that You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen!

Celebrate Your Freedom

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"You have been set free from sin…" (Romans 6:18, NIV)

This weekend, we celebrate Independence Day in America. July 4, 1776 was the day America declared independence from Britain, but the battle for freedom went on until 1783—seven more years. Even though the people declared their freedom in 1776, they had to stand and fight for many years before the British would accept and recognized the United States of America.

In the same way, we have to declare our freedom and be determined to stand against the opposing forces in our lives. We have to declare our freedom from addiction, poverty, sickness, and lack. We have to stand and fight until we fully experience that freedom and peace that God has promised.

I love what our forefathers did once they signed the Declaration of Independence. They read it out loud in public. They published it in the newspaper. They spread the word. They continued to declare and celebrate even though they were in the midst of the battle.

Whatever battle you may be facing today, declare that you are free! Declare that you are an overcomer! Celebrate the victory that is on its way! As you stand strong and celebrate your freedom, you will experience His victory and true freedom all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for setting me free in every area of my life. I declare today that nothing can hold me back. I declare that I am free from sickness, poverty, lack, and addiction. I declare that You have set me free and thank You for freedom in every area of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen!

New Seasons of Increase

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland;" (Isaiah 43:19, NIV).

Are you going through a situation that seems beyond your control? I want to encourage you today that even when we can't see it, God is working behind the scenes. He is doing a new thing. He is making a way for you even when there seems to be no way. He wants to lead you out of that dry, desolate place into a place of peace, safety and abundance. He wants to take you from a season of drought into a season of abundance.

Your part is simply to trust Him and switch over from an attitude of fear and doubt to an attitude of faith. How do you change your attitude? Start by changing what comes out of your mouth. Instead of speaking about your situation, speak to your situation. Every day declare, "This is the day that the Lord has made. He is taking me into seasons of increase. I'm moving forward with strength through the joy of the Lord!" When you start speaking like that, soon your mind and heart will grab hold of the truth, and it won't be long before you're walking in the increase God has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I receive new seasons of increase into my life by faith today. I choose to stand and declare Your promises because I know You have good things in store for my future. I bless You and thank You for another day to sing Your praise. In Jesus' Name. Amen!

Higher

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I;" (Psalm 61:2, NIV).

Everyone goes through seasons of difficulty. We all face challenges and trials. Scripture tells us that in this world we will have trouble, but we can be encouraged today because He has overcome the world and disarmed it of the power to harm us! Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. His ways are higher than our ways, and He has promised to deliver us!

So many times, people feel stuck in their circumstances because they are looking at them from a natural perspective. This natural perspective is limited. It's small. It's only a fraction of what's really going on. But, if we'll rise up to a higher level, we will see things the way God sees them. We'll understand His purposes and see the way to victory!

Today, if you're feeling overwhelmed, Jesus is the rock who is high above your circumstances. When you call on Him, He will be with you. He will lead you and guide you into the higher places He has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, today I release every care and concern to You. Have Your way in my circumstances. Have Your way in my thoughts. Help me, Jesus, to come up higher in every area of my life with You. In Jesus' Name. Amen!

Don't Give Up On Your Tomorrows

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future;" (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

No matter what may be happening today, God has good things in store for your future! It may not be easy to see now, but God has already lined up a new beginning, new friendships, and new opportunities for you. Maybe last year had some setbacks and difficulty, but don't make the mistake of expecting this year to be the same. It's time to get a new vision because it is a new day!

As believers, our attitude should be, "Even though the economy is down, I'm not worried. I know God is going before me, and He has promised He will make rivers in the desert." Or, "The medical report may not look good, but I have another report that says that God is restoring health unto me. I believe God has already released healing, health and victory in my future." Or, you may have a child who is not on the right course. In the natural it seems impossible. But our report should be, "I know God can do the impossible! My child will fulfill their destiny!" Be encouraged today and don't give up on your tomorrows because God has a good plan in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for giving me a hope and a future. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for choosing me. Thank You for delighting in me. I invite You to renew my heart and mind to the good plans you have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen!

Get Your Fill
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled;" (Matthew 5:6, NIV)

In the natural, what do you do when you're hungry and just not sure what will satisfy you? You may try to think of what to eat, but maybe you're not sure what will hit the spot. Spiritual hunger works the same way. You may feel a restlessness or unsettledness, but you can't quite figure out what will satisfy it. You may try to fill that need with other things—food, addictions, people—but only God can fill that hunger.

Today's verse tells us what will fill that hunger in our soul—righteousness. When you hunger and thirst for righteousness, which is God's way of doing things, you will be spiritually satisfied. But just like you have to take time to eat in the natural, you have to take time to "eat" or partake of God's righteousness.

Take time every day and devote it to the Lord with prayer, worship and the study of His Word. Stay in fellowship with other believers by attending church regularly. As you focus your hunger on God's righteousness, you will be filled and live satisfied in Him all the days of your life.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise to fill my hunger. I open my heart to You and ask that You draw me by Your Spirit. Teach me to walk in Your ways of righteousness that I may honor and serve You all the days of my life. I bless Your name today. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Blameless

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him;" (2 Chronicles 16:9 AMP)

Are you looking for God to move in your life today? The Bible says that God is actually looking to show Himself strong in the Earth. He is looking for those who have a blameless heart toward Him.

When you open your heart to Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you and cleanse you by His blood, He gives you a blameless heart—then you are the person the Lord is looking to work through! When you understand the fact that God longs to work in your life, your faith will increase. Your hope will increase. And God's work in your life will increase! Have confidence in this scripture today. Begin to thank God for giving you a clean and blameless heart. Thank Him for choosing to work in you.

As you thank and praise Him, expect Him to act! Expect to see Him move mightily on your behalf in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for the blood of Jesus which cleanses my sins and gives me a blameless heart. Search my heart today and remove anything that isn't pleasing to You. I open my heart and invite You to work in every area of my life. I bless You and thank You for Your faithfulness, In Jesus Name. Amen!