Confusion

"Confusion" By Diane Webb

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

Being jealous of others and arguing with people opens the door to confusion. Confusion creates a fertile ground for all kinds of evil. Be happy with what you have and do not be jealous. Guard against jealousy by being thankful and appreciative. This helps you avoid disagreement and conflict. By being grateful, you can ward off confusion in your mind. When you are confused the devil can tell you more lies. You will not know the difference between the truth and a lie. The more confused you get the more mistakes you will make. Do not argue or disagree. Disagreement stems from envy—being jealous causes you to want to prove yourself better than the other person. This is where the disagreement comes in. When you feel a tiny spark of envy immediately begin recalling all the things you are thankful for. As you do this the devil is pushed away from you. Be confident in your gratitude. All good things come from the Lord. Stay away from strife. It is not on the road to Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father, I am thankful for all you have done for me and all you have given me and my family. Help me, Lord, to always avoid envy and strife. I want to always be under the shadow of your wing. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Christ rules

"Christ rules" By Diane Webb

Psalms 37: 11—"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

Sooner or later meekness pays off. Eventually there will be world peace and those who have helped achieve it will be able to thoroughly enjoy it. It will not be the strong and powerful who inherit the earth. Meekness is of God and is the mark of a person who is one with Christ. You will win in the end and those who have abused the meekness in others will receive justice. Your power lies in prayer, compassion, and meekness. You do not have to shout or assert yourself. A quiet, peaceful manner will overcome a loud, disrupting manner. Always be a peacemaker and enjoy the peace you help maintain. Think of the day on earth when Jesus is back and peace reigns supreme on earth. Do not despair, all is not lost. Those who abuse power will not prevail. Take comfort in these words as you endure the misuse of power you have to endure by those in authority. Continue seeking peace and draw your strength from Christ. Christ is the ultimate authority anyway and really is in control.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. Forgive me of anything I have said, done, or thought that would hinder my prayers. I pray for meekness. Help me resist the urge to fight when it is not your will for me to fight. Help me be the peacemaker you'd have me be. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

Wisdom

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"Wisdom" By Diane Webb

James 3: 17—"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

When your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding come from God they lead to easy-going, gentle, and kind interaction with others. When you feel the need to confront in a firm manner, it is probably not from God. You are meant to be kind, merciful, and patient with people. Do not treat people differently. Do not have favorites. Treat the one you like least the same as the one you like most. If you dislike someone pray for them. Look into your own heart and repent of any negative feelings you have toward another person; most of the time it's the result of condemning them in your heart. Continue to demonstrate a loving attitude regardless of the other person's disrespect. Do not worry about protecting those who are weak and are my children. I will protect my children. You are meant to minster to the one who is seemingly heartless. Be gentle and merciful with him just as your heavenly father is gentle and merciful with you. Some people appear mean when they are really hurt on the inside. They feel very small inside so they lash out at those who seem weaker. It's a pattern that kicks in without much thought. Continue as you are and let me take care of the rest.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me show gentleness, mercy, and patience with all I interact with today. Remind me of your word throughout the day. Help me minster lovingly to those who are the least open. Help me look past the exterior and see what you see. Help me lead someone to you today through my love and compassion. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Inheritance

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"Inheritance" By Diane Webb

Psalms 37: 9—"For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth."

It does not matter how long it might take, in the end all who do evil will be defeated. Those who have patience and wait on the Lord will inherit everything. Do not worry about others who seem to be on top in this world. There are so many people who appear to have wealth, power, and anything they desire. They are hollow with nothing on the inside. You cannot do wrong in the sight of the Lord and win. Oh, it may appear those who do wrong are in control. Do not be deceived by this. God is in control. He will have this world for the righteous in the end. Those who are rich and powerful on earth, if it is not from God, will certainly have nothing in death. Those who wait on God will inherit the earth and live all eternity with God in heaven. There will be no bounds. Do not focus on evil-doers. Do not spend your precious time worrying about what they might be up to next. God has your back and he has the back of all those who belong to him. H e will protect you. You need not fight any battles. It's OK to problem-solve and offer input. However, do not try to get control, power, or recognition. This earthly battle takes your mind off of what you are really here for which is to serve God. Stop allowing yourself to be distracted. The Israelites stayed 400 years as slaves in Egypt—you can certainly stay where you are a few more weeks.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me have more patience in the waiting. Give me confirmation I am where you want me to be for the time being. I have hope in your promises and I am excited about starting a new role. However, I understand it is only for your glory, your kingdom, and your will. I pray to be graceful and serene while I wait. I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

Seeds of peace

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"Seeds of peace " By Diane Webb

James 3: 18—"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

Do not stir up strife and discord. Be a peacemaker in all things. Righteousness and peace are planted together. As you work for peace you gain righteousness. Remember these words. As others grumble demonstrate a peaceful spirit. Do not encourage discontent or disgruntledness. Help people accept and become grateful. Demonstrate a calm demeanor. Through you let others gain a sense of security and peace. Many look to you for strength and encouragement. Do not feed the fires of anger and resentment. It is your responsibility to be a light for peace and harmony. Do not look for ulterior motives. Do not assume deceit and betrayal. Consider all is done in good faith. Support those in leadership so they can do their difficult job without the added stress of conflict. Be the leader of peacefulness and help your fellow men and women feel better about the situation. God still promises a change for you in the near future. However, in the mean time you are expected to remain as supportive as you can in your current situation.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me today to sow seeds of peace and righteousness. Keep me mindful of the scripture today. I pray I do nothing contrary to your will. I am thankful for all you have given me and my family. I trust you to take care of me in all things. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Battles

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"Battles " By Diane Webb

Psalms 37: 8—"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil".

Do not spend your time thinking vengeful thoughts. Anger or wrath is not productive in any way. Do not imagine the evil you wish to do to those who harass and persecute you. That makes you no better than they are. Just follow God's word and his guidance. Let God take care of justice. Do not fantasize about revenge. Do not spend time talking from anger. It is not Christ-like. God has things in control. He knows what he is doing. He is working in each person's life so you may not understand. He is working in your life differently. All people have to learn a different way, a different lesson, and a different skill to serve their purpose with God. Compassion is good but do not interfere in God's work with an individual. Let others fight their own battles and learn their own lessons. You must fight your own war with Satan. Getting caught up in other people's problems will distract you from God and your own work. Listen to God and obey his word. Stay away from anger.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me recognize the traps of Satan; especially in regards to anger. Keep me out of other people's battles, Lord. I need you to help me as I cannot always recognize when I am falling into old patterns. I submit myself and my life to you and your service. I pray in Christ's name, Amen.

Knowing God’s Voice

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"Knowing God's Voice" By Diane Webb

James 4: 7—"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

All you have to do is resist and the devil will run from you. It is as simple as that. Jesus has already won you from the devil and you just have to claim it. Once the devil knows you realize your power in Christ he knows he cannot do anything else to you. What Satan uses most is your mind and thoughts. He does not really have the power to hurt you so he makes you hurt yourself. He whispers in your ear and creates thoughts of fear, discouragement, and temptation. You then make decisions based on what Satan whispers. Instead, listen to what the Holy Spirit says. Always submit yourself to what God says and you will not mistake the whisper of Satan for the Holy Spirit. The whisper of Satan plays on emotions and often goes along with what you want to hear. The Holy Spirit tells you things you would not otherwise know. It's a truth that sometimes contradicts what you really want to hear. Satan operates out of your flesh not your spirit. Resist and he will flee. Submit to God and be one with the Holy Spirit. Satan cannot deceive you if you recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus I rebuke Satan and any attempt he has to trick me into listening to him. I submit myself wholly to Jesus Christ and belong to you, God. Please help me recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit and always know when it's you, Lord. Help me walk in obedience every day of my life. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.


 

Jealousy

"Jealousy" By Diane Webb

James 4: 8—"Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

Come as close as you can to God. As you move toward him, he moves toward you. You have to take the first step. God respects your free will and will not force himself on you. He beckons, he draws you near; but he will not come the whole way if you do not make a move toward him. You must keep your hands clean. Repent of anything that you are doing against God's will or is displeasing to him. Sometimes it's a simple act of disobedience. You must keep your heart clean as well. You cannot harbor envy, resentment, pride, or unforgiveness in your heart. If you are jealous of things your friends and neighbors have, get rid of the resentment. Be thankful for what God has given you. Don't always compare yourself and your life to others. Do not feel resentful when others have more than you. Do not hold a grudge against those who have betrayed or hurt you. Pray for those people and forgive them in your heart. You cannot expect God to forgive you and bless you with these evil things in your heart. The closer you get to God the more he will show you. He will help you remove anything that is keeping you from being even closer to him. Ask and he will show you.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray you will show me anything in my heart that I need to cleanse and repent of. I am thankful for all the many blessings you have given me. I am happy for what my friends, family, and fellow church members have. I forgive anyone who has hurt or betrayed me. I pray for each of them that they might do your will and be showered with your blessings as well. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Church Family

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"Church Family" By Diane Webb

James 5: 14—"Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."

It is important to be a member of a congregation of true believers. The church family plays a vital role in the spiritual growth of its members. In time of need (physical or spiritual), the more mature members of the church can pray for you and their prayers are more powerful because of their maturity in their relationship with God. Holy oil is used to call upon the Holy Spirit for healing and protection. It was used in the early church and it is used now in many churches. Miracles still occur and prayer plays an important role in the manifestation of miracles. Hands-on prayer by others increases the power of the Holy Spirit. The more people praying in accord the more powerful the prayer. This is one of the reasons being in a good church is so important. You praying by yourself is equal to one prayer. The prayer of two people in accord is equal to 10,000 prayers. Now, imagine an entire congregation praying for you! God does answer prayers. He heals people. He performs miracles. Healing is accomplished through the prayers of others. Hands-on prayer with anointing oil increases the healing power. Never be shy about asking others to pray for you.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray all my prayers will be guided by the Holy Spirit. Help me recognize the need to ask others for prayer. Thank you for the wonderful church family you have given me. I pray for the Church which is the body of Christ. Help us all unite in one accord so our prayers can make a difference in this world we live in. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Wait patiently

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"Wait patiently" By Diane Webb

Psalms 37:7—"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

Wait patiently for the Lord and do not worry yourself about those who are prospering through wickedness. That kind of prosperity will never last and the downfall is quick and hard. The Lord has promised good to you and it is in the works. Be patient while you wait. It is coming just as God has promised. Now is your resting period. It is a time not to worry and not to struggle. Just rest. You do not need to address any problems or issues. You do not have to figure anything out. You do not have to assert yourself. All you need to do is rest and wait. Soon—very soon—you will start on a new venture. You will need your energy to be enthusiastic and productive. For now, just rest. Listen and encourage others but do not incite them. Help people cope without fueling the fire of discontent. Everyone is fighting their own battle and some must stay behind when you move on. Those who are doing God's will have his comfort and his strength. Everyone working for God is going to be taken care of. Do not fear that evil will prevail.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all you've done for me. Thank you for the prosperity of my family and myself. Help me, Lord, obey your will today and every day. Help me provide comfort and encouragement without fueling discontent. Help me wait patiently without fretting. I ask in Christ's holy name, Amen.

Prayer of faith

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"Prayer of faith" By Diane Webb

James 5: 15—"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

When you pray, do so with faith. Faith is belief. Believe you have already received what you ask in prayer and it will be so. A prayer of faith does not doubt, does not have back up plans, and does not say "maybe". When you pray with faith it will be given. God hears your prayers and he knows when you have doubt. He will not answer a prayer of doubt. You must truly believe in your heart and only then will God hear and answer your prayer. Pray for others first then pray for yourself. It is OK to pray for yourself as long as you pray for others first. God wants you to show you are concerned with the wellbeing of others. When you pray for others you also need to demonstrate faith. Don't act so surprised when your prayers are answered and someone receives a miracle. Expect your prayer will be answered which is what faith is all about. Demonstrate expectation by preparing for the prayer to be answered. When you are down and discouraged pray even more. Pray God will reveal to you the hindrances in your life. Hindrances must be removed because they can block your prayers. Your greatest power is through your prayers. Pray at least three times per day—more is even better. Pray throughout the day. Give thanks and praise, seek comfort, ask for guidance, and renew your spirit through prayer. This is the only way you can do God's will; otherwise, you will not know God's will.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you Lord for the gift of prayer. Help me remember to seek you in prayer throughout each and every day. I want to do your will and I need your guidance, comfort, and strength. Without constant communication with you I can so easily slip into discouragement. Thank you, Lord, for this word today. I pray with faith in Christ's name, Amen.

Light in Darkness

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"Light in Darkness" By Diane Webb

Psalms 37: 6—"And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday".

The light of righteousness will shine through you and you will be a light in a dark place. Goodness, truth, and integrity will prevail. Don't worry about justice or fairness; let God take care of that. Just concern yourself with the day's work—what and who God puts before you. Let God be your focus and your goal. Do as the Holy Spirit leads you and your light will get brighter and brighter. It will be obvious to any who will look and see. The use of power and authority for personal gain will fail. The darkness cannot withstand the light of righteousness. Open your door so others can see the light. Do not hide away and keep to yourself. The light needs to be seen. You would not cover up or hide a light house. The light is needed to guide those in danger; those in peril need to have a light to shine forth so the right way can be illuminated. The wrong way, at times, is the more obvious way. But the right path shines with brightness. The right path has the light of Jesus Christ upon it. He created the path and was the first to walk it for you. Righteousness will always lead down the path of Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus so your light will shine and others can see him through you.

Dear Heavenly Father, lead me clearly down the path of righteousness so I can lead others to Jesus. Help me shine forth with your light so others might see. Help me be the bright light in a dark place. Give me the strength I need to persevere in a Christian manner. Help me do your work in this dark place I go every day and give me the right words to say today. I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

For God’s Glory

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“For God’s Glory” By Diane Webb

Deuteronomy 28:  11—“And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.”

As a Christian, you are included in the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The blessings of Deuteronomy 28 are yours too.  You are included as children of the Nation of Israel.  The Promised Land and all it contains belong to you.  The Promised Land includes what God has given you.  Where you are, where your home is, is the Promised Land for you.  God will bless everything you say and do.  Your land, your children, and your possessions are all from God. You will have descendents like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Your animals are part of the blessing as well.  God wants you to be prosperous as it shows how good he takes care of his children.  If all Christians lived like paupers—barely having enough to eat—it would be a poor testimony to our God.  God blesses his children and he blesses you.  It is not shameful to have plenty.  It shows you are walking in accordance to God’s will and are a good steward of what he has given you.  You take care of the blessings God gives you.  It is OK to be successful and prosperous.  You need not feel guilty because your God has blessed you.  Thank God and give God all the glory for the blessings you have and the ones to come.  Any time someone compliments you be sure to say “it’s all from God” or “I give God all the glory”.  Take credit for nothing because without God you are nothing and have nothing.  Everything belongs to God including you.  Praise God!

Dear Heavenly Father, I am very appreciative of all you’ve done for me and given me.  I thank you for my children and grand children.  I thank you for my spouse.  I thank you for my family, my health, and my well being.  I owe it all to you.  I give all I have—including myself—back to you, Lord, for your service and your will.  Use me, Lord, for your glory and for your kingdom.  I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Good Steward

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"Good Steward" By Diane Webb

Psalms 37: 5—"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

God's promises will come to pass. Trust in him and commit to his ways and look forward to the fulfillment of his promises to you. Do good, listen to him, obey him—these are the conditions for which you will receive the promises. Learn his ways and follow them. Keep your mind off of worldly things. Any blessings upon you are for his glory and the betterment of his kingdom. Be a good steward. Watch how you spend the money he gives you. Be careful how you use the things he gives you. Do not be frivolous, extravagant, or wasteful. Spend frugally and wisely. Take what he gives you and use it according to his will. You cannot be blessed if you do not know how to handle your blessings. Pray before every purchase—large or small. Do not look down on others who do not seem to be as blessed as you are. Maybe God is working in their life but it's not obvious. Never think you are better than anyone else which includes thinking you are more spiritual or have a better relationship with God. Only God knows what is in people's hearts and sometimes outward appearances can be deceiving. Be kind to others and give according to God's will. Keep your spirit humble and meek in the Lord. Keep his way and his promises to you will come to pass.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me keep your way. Point out to me anything I am doing—or not doing—that is not according to your way. Help me overcome my deficits. Help me always demonstrate Christ's love towards others. Help me be a good steward of all you have given me. I ask this in Christ's name, Amen.

The Season

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"The Season" By Diane Webb

Deuteronomy 28: 12—"The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow."

No matter where you are or what you are doing, God will bless your work and pour out all the treasures of heaven on you. He will give you what you need to grow. You will be successful and prosperous. You will be in a position to lend money and will never have to borrow any. The Lord will provide what you need when you need it. You need never fear of want. He works in his own time and it is always the perfect timing. He knows what other factors are there to take into consideration. He knows details you do not. He knows what he is doing. He always keeps his promises. Have patience and enjoy the blessings in your work now. The things you do and the people you see are blessed now. So many things are there to distract you and keep you from enjoying the blessings of your work. Focus on what God has given you and the treasures are yours already. The rain for the harvest is coming soon and then it will be a new season for you. For now, continue your work and it will be blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings you have given me. Thank you for the work you are blessing. Thank you for the promise of a new season. Help me continue to have patience and give me the ability to focus on the present work as I look forward to the future work. I ask this in Christ's name, Amen.

Your hearts’ desire

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"Your hearts' desire" By Diane Webb

Psalms 37: 4—"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

God loves you and wants to give you everything your heart desires. What does your heart desire? Does it crave recognition, appreciation, and validation? These things cannot be provided by things, people, places, conditions, or positions. They can only be provided by God. The more time you spend with God, the more you will be filled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Gods' way of communicating with you and providing comfort, wisdom, and knowledge. The Holy Spirit is with you always. All you have to do is listen—open your ears and open your heart. You can hear God whispering his will, his love, his guidance, and his comfort to you throughout the day. He does want you to have many of the things you want in this life however he is more concerned with filling your heart with the Holy Spirit and his love. That is truly what your heart desires. The love of your heavenly Father is all you need to fulfill your heart's desires. You don't need anything outside of him.

Dear heavenly Father, please help me to seek you in all things. As I go throughout my day, open my ears so I can hear you and open my heart so I can feel you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Fill up that gap in my heart that yearns for something I cannot name or recognize. But I know when it is filled. Thank you Lord for your love. Help me extend this love to others. I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.




 

Leadership

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"Leadership" By Diane Webb

Deuteronomy 28: 13—"And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them."

The Lord does not make Christians to always be at the end of the line. He wants his children elevated to positions of influence and leadership. The more Christians in positions of leadership the more decisions can be made according to God's will. As Christians are elected to positions of authority—government, CEO's, supervisors, managers, and other roles of authority on earth—more and more laws and policies will be in line with scripture. The effect can be far reaching. This is why it is so important to pray for the leaders in our country—in our world. Each and every day decisions are made which affect people's lives. Many Christians try to keep themselves meek and humble by avoiding positions of responsibility. The result is that too many key positions are held by non-Christians. Sometimes God leads Christians to political or influential positions to enable them to impact more people by ensuring decisions are made according to God's will. Never shy away from responsibility or opportunities God has for you. Sometimes God wants you to stay on the front line fighting the battle hand to hand; other times he wants you at the helm calling the shots and ensuring Godly leadership. Take heart, you have been on the front line fighting a good battle. It's now time for God to elevate you to a higher level—he wants you to be the head and not the tail.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for all you have done for me. Help me recognize the opportunities you put before me and never let me over look a role you would have me accept. I want to be humble before you and demonstrate a Christian meekness; however I also want to do your will and accept leadership responsibilities when you would have me do so. I pray for discernment, Lord, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Listening

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"Listening" By Diane Webb

Psalms 37: 3—"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

As you see people today remember to demonstrate the love of Jesus. Jesus loves you and he loves all people. Have a compassionate heart and listen. Don't be in a big hurry. Slow down, take your time, and allow others to say whatever they want to say to get things off their chests. They need someone to listen and just be there for a while. Have patience with those who are slower than normal. Pray for them while you are present there with them. Help them know God through you. They will be able to see God's love in your eyes. It's an awesome responsibility to be able to hear what they have to say. They have no one else to really talk to. Keep up your spirits. Your time in this role will soon be over. You will be moved on to other things that are also important. Let your time with these people count for something. For just the brief time you are there let them feel important too. They will see God before you do. This is the good you can do today. This is the small thing for the kingdom of God.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to hear what others need to say. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your kingdom. Help me be there for others and be able to listen patiently—today and every day. Help me show others the love of Christ by my demeanor, my eyes, and my words. Help me be a comforting presence for your children. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

Fret not

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"Fret not" By Diane Webb

Psalms 37:1—"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity."

You are surrounded by evildoers and it might make you a little nervous—not knowing what to expect next; not sure what their next move will be. There is no need to worry about them. It also seems like those who are not following Christ are prospering—they have big houses, nice cars, take trips, and seem to have plenty of money. Never be jealous of them. What they have is not from God and will not last. Sooner or later it will be taken away from them and more than they ever got will be taken. There is always a price to pay when you accept prosperity from Satan. It's not like that with God. Those who follow God will have permanent blessings and prosperity. It may come more slowly at times and it may not be as flashy and glamorous; but it comes none-the-less. Those who are in power and are misusing it will fall. Those who abuse people with less status will fall. Good always triumphs over evil. God is preparing the way now for victory over evil. Continue to be a light in a dark place. Shine forth with love, kindness, and understanding and not criticism, legalism, or condemnation. Let those who are workers of iniquity look at your life, your peace, your happiness and wonder what you have that they do not have. Sleep at night in peace and awake in the satisfaction of knowing you are doing God's work and no matter what comes your way, you have God on your side.

Dear Lord let my light shine today so as to be a witness to your goodness and justice. Help me remember not to fret and not to be envious of others—especially those who are not living for you. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Everlasting Arms

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"Everlasting Arms" By Diane Webb

Deuteronomy 33: 27—"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, destroy them".

The Lord will go before you and clear out a pathway. Any enemy or potential enemy will be taken care of before you get there. God is making a way for you to go where he wants you next. After you get there If anyone tries to hinder you from God's purpose, you will fight them and be victorious. Some of them you won't have to fight at all because God will do it for you. God will restore you. Anything Satan has snatched away from you will be given back—and more. You will have to stand and be willing to fight when God tells you to fight. God may even lead you to take the offense instead of just defending yourself. You always have the protection of the Lord. God is your safe place. When you are with him you are held up by his arms. You are completely within his protection. He loves you and will never let you down. He wants your company. He enjoys talking with you. He likes taking care of you. Rejoice in your security. Bask in his love. You have no need to fear. You do not have to be timid of others. God is your defender and your strength. There is no one you need to fear. You have the strength of all God's angels because you are his child. You are anointed for his work and nothing will prevent you from fulfilling God's purpose.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for protecting me and fighting my enemies. Thank you for your everlasting arms that hold me up. Help me recognize when you want me to fight and when you want me to rest in your arms a while. I pray for my enemies—whoever they are—that through me they can know to respect and fear you. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Trust Him

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"Trust Him" By Diane Webb

Psalm 36:7—"How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings."

The Lord loves you so much and wants to do great things through you. He has a soft spot for you. He is so kindly towards you. With this much love and gentleness, it's easy to trust Him. Rest under his wing where you are protected. You are safe. He is watching over you. You can relax and take a break from being so vigilant. You do not have to be on guard. He will watch your back. It's been a long road and you are tired. You have fought a good fight and learned many lessons. You have honed your skills and your talents. Therefore, just rest. Enjoy the time in the peaceful place where you are safe. God has his arms around you. You are not being tested. This is a waiting period for you. Enjoy the peace for a season. Let God protect you. Trust Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and thank you for your kindness. You are so good to me. I am glad to rest under the shadow of your wing. Use me, Lord; I submit to your will. In Christ's name, Amen.

The Fruits Show

"The Fruits Show" By Diane Webb

Galatians 5:22 & 23—"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law".

The closer you get to God, the more you will demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit. Keep praying, keep reading your Bible, and continue to fellowship with other Christians. As you increase your relationship with God, your life will be a witness to others just by the way you think, talk, and act. You do not have to preach at people to witness to God. People see how you act and how you react. That is your greatest testimony. When hardship or unreasonable demands are placed on you, the fruits will show. As people are rude and disrespectful towards you, your fruits will show. You don't always have to assert yourself. Sometimes the quiet strength of meekness prevails. Moderation in all things is evidence of the Holy Spirit. Focus on Jesus and the fruits will come naturally. Pray about all decisions—large and small—and the fruits will be evident. It is a powerful message when you maintain your cool in spite of circumstances. Watch your mouth—the wise-crack remarks, the sarcasm. These things do not reflect the Holy Spirit's presence. The fruits of the Spirit are all part of what you have been developing over the past few years. Each hardship that drew you closer to God (and they all did) were to help you develop and manifest the fruits of the Spirit. Continue seeking God and these powerful character traits will get stronger and even more evident. This is why you've had to go through so much.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for anything I've had to go through that has increased my dependency on you. As I turn to you and depend on you, I have grown in the fruits of the Spirit. Help me, Lord continue to seek you in all things. I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

Working things out

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"Working things out" By Diane Webb

Psalms 34: 19—"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all".

Obviously bad things do happen to good people. Often, it seems when you accept Jesus as your personal savior that is when things get more difficult on some level. It may seem you are attacked on all sides. Psalms 34: 19 promises the Lord will deliver you out of all your afflictions—not some but all of them. When God delivers you from an affliction, you are better than you were before you ever had the affliction. You make up and pass the point you would have been without the affliction to start with. Hardship, illness, tragedy, trials, pain, and suffering are all afflictions. No matter what you are facing and no matter how bad it is God will deliver you one way or another. For some, he takes them home to be with him—for their reward and their rest. For others, he restores them and builds them up here on earth to continue his work. Any affliction from God is only going to end up in something greater than before. This you can count on. The word promises this and God keeps his word. Looking back throughout the hard times of the great people of the Bible, no matter what happened each of them ended up better than before—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, and David. You need not despair when things are difficult. Don't give up. Things are falling into place right now. So much has to take place in advance and behind the scenes for you to see your deliverance. But it is close now. God is continuously working in the lives of his saints. He has not left you or forgotten you. You will see the evidence of his work soon. Then you will realize how much better off you are going to be when he delivers you from the current situation. God is with you and God is working things out.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for working things out in my life. Even when I don't realize it, you are working. I pray, Lord, for comfort, courage, and compassion as I wait for your deliverance. I know it is coming and I am excited. I praise you, Lord. You are so good to me. I pray in Christ's holy name, Amen.

The Harvest

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"The Harvest" By Diane Webb

Galatians 6: 9—"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

It is important to keep your spirits up and not to faint from the heat and hard work. Whatever your work is, it can feel overwhelming. It's easy to think you can't make it and will give out before it's time. Be encouraged and continue doing your good work. It's hard not to be weary from the work and the conditions. Don't allow yourself to give up. Keep up the work and sooner or later you will see the fruits of your labor. You will benefit from your work. Everything happens when it is time to happen—the right season. For all you know the season is right around the corner. You are almost there. It is honorable to continue the good work in spite of being tired or disheartened. All the work you do now is laying the groundwork for the future. Without the groundwork the harvest will not have anywhere to accumulate. You are laying the groundwork for the future harvest. You are building a storehouse for future use. You will need the knowledge and skills you are developing now for the future harvest. It is not all in vain. Every minute detail is important for the future harvest. You have talent but talent has to be developed and honed. Skills have to be sharpened. What better way to develop and sharpen skills than where you are now. You are still learning; you are still growing. Every day presents a new opportunity to learn and grow. The more you overlook these opportunities, the longer you have to stay; the further off is the harvest. Do not get weary; focus on the opportunities to grow. Look forward to the future.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the chance to grow and develop my skills. I look forward to using them in the future in whatever way you have planned. I open myself up to the unexpected. I submit myself to your will. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

All things

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"All things" By Diane Webb

Psalms 34: 18—"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart: and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit".

The Lord is close by when you are sad. He knows you are sorry when you do wrong and he knows it makes you sad to displease him. He will save you because you are repentant in your heart. God is moved by heart-felt tears. He listens when you pray earnestly. He hears your words and responds to your pain. He loves you and does not want to see you sad or crying. He would like for you to understand everything. If you understood everything you would not be sad. You would understand all things work for the good. On your side of things it seems to be hopeless. You get discouraged too easily. Have faith in God's promise to you. He never fails. He will not change his mind. He will keep his word. His timing is the perfect timing. He is never too early and he is never too late. Have patience and take heart in the hope for the future. Things will get better. Your peace and serenity are important to him. He wants you to be happy as you do the work he has planned for you to do. Continue to persevere. He will place people before you. He will give you the right words to say. He will use you in spite of your discouragement. In time, you will see how it all works out. Remember, all things work for the good.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me. Help me to continue having a contrite spirit. Help me to do your will in everything I say, think, and do today. Encourage me throughout the day. I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

Pray First

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"Pray First" By Diane Webb

Lamentations 3: 22—"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not".

God has so much compassion for you that even when you make mistakes He tries to help you. He wants you to recognize your errors and make the decision not to do it again. He then will make things right again for you and others involved. All you need to do is realize you've made the mistake, say you are sorry to God, and promise to work on that area that is a weakness for you. God does not always require you to apologize to others. Each situation is different so it must be decided on a case by case basis. Remember, God is working in other people's lives too and he does not need you to make things right for someone else—even if you are the one who made the original mistake. Disobedience is saying "no" to Christ. Anytime you say "no" make sure you have prayed about it first. Some people say "yes" too much and others say "no" too much. Every decision—yes or no—needs to be filtered with prayer. Things are not always as they seem on the surface but God knows all the details. Therefore, there is no rule that says "say yes to all requests" or "say no to all requests". It's not between you and other people—it's between you and God. That's why it is so important to pray before giving an answer or making a decision. When faced with two competing options—and pressed to make an instant decision—take just a few moments to pray for guidance. Few people can make the right decision off the cuff—without even pausing to think. Those instant reaction decisions are often wrong and based on past not present circumstances. But, because God loves you and wants to use you, he forgives you of your weakness. He corrected your mistake once you realized it (repented); now God just wants you to move forward starting from right now.

Father, thank you for your compassion and mercy. Thank you for making my mistakes right again and not letting anyone suffer for what I do wrong. Thank you for pointing these things out to me and helping me develop those traits I need to do your work. I look forward to doing your work today in whatever manner it presents—even those that are unexpected. Help me, Lord, to remember to pray first before giving an answer to anyone when asked. In Christ's name, Amen.

God Delivers

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"God Delivers" By Diane Webb

Psalms 34: 17—"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles".

The Lord hears you crying in your spirit. He is working to deliver you from your troubles. He knows you are unhappy. God does not want his children to be unhappy. He loves for each of you to have joy in your heart. He wants you to look forward to each and every day. He does not want you to dread going where you have to go or doing what you have to do. Take heart from his promise. You have done well in your struggle. You have persevered and developed into a more compassionate person. You have tried not to judge others. You are no longer critical and arrogant. God wants you to be compassionate towards others. In order to be compassionate, it is important not to judge others. No one knows what is in someone's heart but God. It's easy to look at another person's circumstances and be critical. It's easy to think they deserve the problems they have. It may be true some of the problems have been their own making. However, it's because they have been deceived by the devil first. Like Eve was deceived by Satan and then she disobeyed God. She was still responsible for her actions however it is not your place to judge her or anyone. You may have done the same thing in her place. God is the owner of the judgment seat. Only God has the authority to determine a person's guilt. Keep this in mind as you embark on your next role or duty—have compassion and do not judge. If there is someone you find it difficult to have compassion towards then pray for compassion and pray for that individual. Check your own heart to see if you have been judging that individual. Judging inhibits compassion. Sometimes it may feel like there is a block on your emotions. If this happens, choose to have compassion instead. Stop judging. You can choose a thought that then leads to the feeling. Decide, "I choose to have compassion towards this individual" and "it is not my place to judge". This same rule applies to dealing with yourself. Have compassion towards yourself and do not judge yourself. Take comfort from God's word today.

Heavenly Father, thank you for today's word. Thank you for the promise of deliverance. Help me, Lord, be a more compassionate and forgiving person. Help me remember not to judge others. Help me minister to those I see in a more kind and gentle manner. I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

God’s got your back

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"God's got your back" By Diane Webb

Lamentations 3: 23—"They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Every morning your hope is renewed. No matter what has happened the day before, each morning is a new day to start fresh. Let yesterday take care of yesterday and let today take care of today. Let God take care of tomorrow. The Lord understands you are human and have your ups and downs. Things get to you and you may get irritated or discouraged. God still loves you and has compassion toward you. He understands your struggles and understands your ignorance of his plan. He knows you trust him and knows you believe in his word. Take heart because a new day is coming for you. If today does not turn out the way you planned, then tomorrow is another chance to try again. Just never give up. No matter how long it takes, never give up. Realize God has got your back and outside of that nothing else really matters. Endure what you have to endure. Each and every time you have to face an obstacle you are learning skills, increasing strength, and building up your character. All of this is needed for you next assignment for God. He is preparing you so when everything falls into place, you will be ready. Do not rush things. Just enjoy what you can each day and continue to minister to those who come before you. Take it one day at the time. Take comfort in knowing you are part of God's kingdom and he is working in your life.

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me you are working in my life. Thank you for the words of encouragement. Lead me today, Lord, to do your will in everything I say and do. Help me be a living testament of trust and faith in you. Help me lead others to you by my example. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.