After This

After This Today's Scripture: And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them… 2 Samuel 8:1, KJV. Today's Word: Your life is not over because you had a setback. God has an “after this” in your future. He has another victory planned. He wants to take you further than you ever dreamed possible! When you go through tough times, don’t be surprised if the enemy whispers in your ear, “You’ll never be as happy as you used to be. You’ve seen your best days. This setback is the end of you.” No, let that go in one ear and out the other. God is saying to you, “After the bad break, after the disappointment, after the pain, there is still a full life.” Know today that you have not danced your best dance. You have not laughed your best laugh. You have not dreamed your best dream. If you will stay in faith and not get bitter, God has an “after this” in your future. He’s not only going to bring you out, He is going to bring you out better than you were before! Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for victory in store for my future. Thank you that “after this,” I’m rising higher. I’m coming out stronger. I’m more prepared for my future. I’m better equipped and empowered to fulfill the destiny You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Choose Forgiveness, Not Gossip

by Rick Warren

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9 NLT)

Let’s just admit it: When you have some crazy-maker in your life, and she’s just done the craziest thing again, it’s almost impossible not to get in the car, pull out your phone, and call somebody and say, “You won’t believe what she just did!”

Or, “You won’t believe what he just did!”  In fact, you may even be texting as he’s doing it!

That’s what we do with crazy-makers. We want to tell somebody else. We want affirmation from somebody else. It’s the most difficult thing in the world to let go of it. It may feel good when we call someone to spread the word about the crazy-maker’s craziness, but it’s also unloving.

The Bible says to forgive even your enemies. Proverbs 17:9 says, “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends”(NLT).

Gossip is incredibly destructive. It is destructive to churches, families, and businesses. It is destructive to your life. It tears you up. It separates the closest of friends.

The worst thing about gossip is that the crazy-maker wins! All of a sudden, your crazy-maker is controlling your conversation. The crazy-maker is controlling your emotions. Don’t let that person win! Don’t let the crazy-maker win by choosing gossip.

1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing” (NCV).

Talk About It

• What are your strategies for avoiding or confronting gossip?
• Why do you think it is so hard to walk away from gossip?