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

Who Do You Agree With?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19, NIV)

The Scripture talks about how when any two of us agree, it shall be done. That’s a promise that when we stand in faith with another believer, God will do what He said. Well, I believe that principle is true even in the negative. When the enemy puts a thought in your mind, if you agree, then your agreement is what gives it the power to come to pass. But if you don’t agree, you turn it around.

The thought says, “Your children are going to get into trouble.” “No, I don’t agree. My children will be mighty in the land. My children will fulfill their destiny.” You’ve just stopped that fear from coming to pass. The thought says, “You’d better not go out today. You’re going to have an accident.” “No, I don’t agree. God has a hedge of protection around me; a bloodline that the enemy cannot cross.”

Here’s the key: don’t come into agreement with the fear. If you don’t agree, the only way it can come to pass is if God gives it permission. And if God does, you can rest assured it’s not going to work against you. It’s going to work for you. Today, pay attention to what you’re coming into agreement with and don’t agree with fear. Agree with His Word and embrace the good things He has in store for you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I come into agreement with You. I choose to align my words, my thoughts and my actions with Your Word which is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. I will hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Don’t Miss Your Moment

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 9:22, NIV)

In Scripture, there was a lady who had been sick with a bleeding disorder for twelve years. She went to the best doctors, received the finest treatment, but her health continued to decline. One day, she got word that Jesus was coming through her town. When she heard that, something came alive on the inside. She had so much coming against her, but she didn’t focus on that; she knew it was her time for healing. Instead of giving up, she fought her way through the crowds and touched the edge of Jesus’ robe. When she did, immediately she was made whole.

I wonder how many other people were there like her in that same type of situation. They were sick. They were discouraged. They had trouble. But they just watched Jesus pass by. They let excuses keep them from their miracle. Friend, don’t let that be you. Don’t let your circumstances keep you from reaching out to Jesus. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in your past, just keep moving forward. God has destiny moments in store for you. Keep pressing in, keep believing, keep praying and, like this woman, reach out to Him. Know that He is faithful, and He will meet your faith with His power.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I press into You. I believe that You have my miracle in the palm of Your hand. I choose to take my eyes off of my circumstances and set my gaze on You, Jesus, because You are the Author and Finisher of my faith in Jesus’ name. Amen.

So many ways of healing. Thank you for providing God's message here.

It’s Never too Late

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29, KJV)

What could be worse than to come to the end of life filled with regrets? “If only I had pursued that dream. If only I had been more disciplined. If only I had taken that step of faith. If only I had forgiven.” Don’t let that be you. You may have put things off a lot longer than you should have, but the good news is that it’s not too late to get started. You can still become everything God has created you to be.

Today, make the decision to stop making excuses. If you always make excuses, you’ll always have one. Don’t wait for a more convenient time. It says in Ecclesiastes, “If we wait for all the conditions to be just right, we’ll never move off of dead center.” Make a decision to just do it! Be a now person. Your destiny is calling out, and it’s never too late to be all that God has created you to be.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for making all things new. Thank You for renewing me, restoring me and setting me on the road to victory. Show me Your ways and give me the strength to embrace every opportunity that comes from You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Develop Your Talent

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].” (Colossians 1:10, AMP)

Too many people suffer from “destination disease.” In other words, they’ve reached a certain level or obtained a goal, now they’re coasting in life off of what they’ve already learned. Studies tell us that 50% of people, after they graduate from high school, will never read an entire book the rest of their life. One reason is that people see learning as a period of life instead of a way of life. They think, “I’m out of school. I’m done with my training. I’ve got my job.” But, God never created us to reach one level and stop. Whether you’re 90 years old or 9 years old, you should be constantly learning, improving your skills, and getting better at what you do.

The key is that you have to take responsibility for your growth. Growth is not automatic. What steps are you taking to get better? Are you reading books? Listening to teaching CD’s? Are you taking any courses on the internet? Going to any seminars? Do you have any mentors? Don’t just coast through life relying on what you’ve already learned. You have treasure on the inside. Develop your talent and become all that God created you to be.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, help me to develop the talents You have given me. Show me to how to continue growing, stretching and increasing. Help me to maximize what You’ve placed in my hand as I daily give You glory for Your faithfulness in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bring Forth the Treasures

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him...” (Matthew 12:35, NIV)

Recently, there was an article that told how the wealthiest places on earth are not the oil fields of the Middle East nor the diamond mines of South Africa. The wealthiest places are the cemeteries. Buried in the ground are businesses that were never formed, songs that were never sung, books that were never written, potential that was never realized, and dreams that never came to pass.

Friend, don’t let that be you! Don’t go to your grave with your treasure still in you. Keep growing. Keep learning. Step out in faith and trust God. Bring forth the good treasure that God has placed within you. If you don’t know where to start, start by meditating on His Word. Let Him speak to your heart. Learn to hear His voice. Learn to obey quickly. Trust that He is good and will lead you in the path He has prepared for you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for the good treasures You’ve deposited in me. I will be faithful to develop what You’ve entrusted to me. Help me, by Your Spirit, to stay close to You and follow Your leading every step of the way in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Filling a Bag with Holes

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” (Haggai 1:6, NIV)

In the Old Testament, God spoke to the people about rebuilding the temple. In Haggai it says, “The people said, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house,’ even though Cyrus had ordered it eighteen years earlier.”

Notice that through Cyrus, God had told them to rebuild eighteen years before, but they were still saying, “It’s not the right time. Let’s do it later.” I can imagine that in the first year they thought, “Let’s not do it now. We’re busy.” Second year, “It’s not convenient. Let’s do it some other time.” Eighteen years later, they were still putting it off.

What happens when we don’t do what God is asking us to do? Verse six says, “You have sown much but reaped little. You’ve earned your wages, but you’re putting them in a bag with holes in it.” Verse seven says, “Consider your ways.” Friend, don’t try to fill a bag that has holes in it. You won’t be able to get ahead. You won’t be effective. What’s the answer? Consider your ways. Be quick to obey. Don’t wait to pursue that dream. Don’t wait to forgive. Don’t wait to get serious about your relationship with God. Do it today and partake of all the blessings He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I choose to be quick to obey. I don’t want to waste time. I don’t want to try to fill a bag with holes in it. I know that You have good plans for me, and as I obey Your Word, I will move forward into the life of blessing You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sharpen Your Skills

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work...” (Exodus 35:35, NKJV)

It’s easy to fall into “destination disease.” That’s when you’re comfortable where you are. You’re not stretching, not learning anything new. There is nothing wrong with being happy where you are, but you have to remember, you have so much more inside of you. You were created to increase, to grow, to stretch and sharpen your skills.

Studies tell us that the average person only uses 11% of their brain. Think about how much more potential we all could be tapping into. Maybe you’re an accountant. That’s good, but don’t settle there. Why don’t you go get your CPA license? There’s a new skill you can develop. That gift will make more room for you. Maybe you’re an electrician, a mechanic, a plumber. That’s great, but what steps are you taking to improve? I believe in this day and age, if you are at the same skill level today as you were five years ago, you’re at a disadvantage.

Today, shake out of that “destination disease” and start sharpening your skills. Keep stretching, keep growing and keep moving forward into the life of blessing God has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for every good and perfect gift that You have given me. I choose to honor You with every gift and every talent. Show me how to sharpen my skills in a way that always brings glory and honor to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Skill That Can Slay a Giant

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” (Proverbs 18:16, NASB)

When people hear the story of David and Goliath, sometimes they think, “That was all God.” And yes, in a sense, I know it was God. But the truth is that God didn’t sling the stone. God didn’t cause it to hit at just the right spot. It was the skill God gave David that he had developed.

Like David, God has put in you skill that can slay a giant. You have skill that can open new doors, skills that can lead to an abundant life, but the key is that your skill has to be developed. Every day that you spend growing, learning and improving, you’re getting prepared for that new level.

Today, while you’re waiting for that new opportunity, start sharpening your skills. Study your boss. Study your manager. Learn that position. Be able to step into their shoes. When God sees that you are prepared, then He can open new doors. The scripture says, “Your gifts will make room for you.” Keep developing your skills because there is a giant slayer in you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for depositing in me everything that I need for life and godliness. I choose to be faithful with what You have given me. I choose to sharpen my skills. Help me prepare for every opportunity You have for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen.