"But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."Philippians 3:13

Failures and disappointments. Aches and pains from the past that just won't seem to go away. Most of us know what it's like to suffer from them but too few of us know just what to do about them. So we limp along, hoping somehow they'll magically stop hurting If depression has driven you into a spiritual nosedive, break out of it by getting your eyes off the past and onto your future, a future that's been guaranteed by Christ Jesus through the great and precious promises in His Word. Forget about those failures in the past! That's what God has done (Heb. 8:12). And if He doesn't remember them any more, why should you? READ: Philippians 3:1-14

"And all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you,if you shall hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God."Deuteronomy 28:2

Some people have very low expectations of what God will provide for them materially. They trust Him to feed and clothe them, but they don't trust Him to feed and clothe them very well!

First Timothy 6:17 says, "He give us richly all things to enjoy." God is a loving Father. He gets great pleasure from blessing His children. He's extravagant where we're concerned. But don't let that worry you. He can afford it.

READ: 1 Kings 10:1-24

"Choose you this day whom you will serve." Joshua 24:15

Choosing to side with God's Word is a continual challenge. It's not something you do just once. It's a process of choosing to believe and act upon the Word of God over and over in every circumstance.

So choose to walk in love. Choose to walk by faith. Choose to live by the Word. Jesus is the Way! Choose Him!

READ: Joshua 24:14-24

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and everyevil work."James 3:16

Have you ever noticed that the easiest place to remain self-centered is at home? There's an incentive to be lovely with others, but with your family you are tempted to allow yourself more selfish privileges as if it didn't count there.

Strife drops the shield of faith, stops prayer results, and invites Satan and his cohorts into your midst. Discord is deadly. It paralyzes the power of God in your life.

Don't allow the enemy to stop you at your own front door by allowing strife in your home. If you do, you'll be no threat to him anywhere else.

READ: Philippians 2:1-13

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that wemay obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."Hebrews 4:16

When you made Jesus the Lord of your life, one of the privileges you received was the right to come to the throne room of God any time you want to. Think about that! You have the right to go boldly before God and obtain whatever you need.

Do you need to receive something from God today? Don't waste time standing around outside heaven's gates. Through Jesus you belong in the very throne room of God. So come right on in. The door is always open for you.

READ: Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 5:1-9

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself fromtroubles."Proverbs 21:23

There's just no two ways about it. To live a life of blessing, we have to make our words agree with what God says. Not just for a few hours or a few days, but all the time.
If you've ever done that, you know it's not easy. As time wears on and the circumstances around you appear to be stubbornly determined to stay in the same miserable condition, it can be hard to keep on speaking God's Word. But you have to do it if you ever want your harvest of blessing to come in. Put patience to work and
keep your words in line. You will receive your harvest.

READ: Proverbs 18:4-8, 20-21

"And be not conformed to this world: but be transformedby the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

Inside, you're perfect--born again in the image of Jesus Himself. But outwardly do you find yourself falling frustratingly short of that perfection? Is there a solution? Yes! The secret lies in "the renewing of your mind." Take time to get away from the world and study God's Word. Meditate on it and let it change you from the inside out. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind and release the beautiful spiritual butterfly that's living in you!

READ: 2 Corinthians 3:6-18

"This is my commandment,That you love one another,as I have loved you.Greater love hath no man than this,that a manlaydown his life for his friends"

John 15:12-13

Love. It is the first and foremost command Jesus gave us, yet all too many believers neglect to follow it. I'm talking about believers who can quote tremendous amounts of scripture and who may speak the Name of Jesus 35 or 40 times a day, yet they're rough and insensitive to the needs of their friends and family. They're so busy "serving God," they don't have time to serve people. Strife is their hallmark.

When you're in that condition, the Name of Jesus won't work. Faith won't work because the Bible says that faith works by love. In fact, none of the gifts of the Spirit will work if you don't have love. First Corinthians 13 says so.

READ: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8