I Can

I Can TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: …With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26, NKJV. TODAY'S WORD: When was the last time you declared out loud “I can”? It’s not something people think to do every day. In fact, most people tend to magnify their limitations. They focus on their shortcomings. But scripture makes it plain: all things are possible to those who believe. That’s right! It is possible to see your dreams fulfilled. It is possible to overcome that obstacle. It is possible to climb to new heights. It is possible to embrace your destiny. You may not know how it will all take place. You may not have a plan, but all you have to know is that if God said that you can…you can! Today, why don’t you begin to open yourself up to the possibility in your future by simply declaring this verse, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength?” At the stoplight, when you’re waiting in line, anytime you have a second, just quote this verse to yourself again. Let it sink down deeply into your heart. As you do, His word will transform you. Faith will rise up in your heart and will boldly embrace the blessings that He has in store for you! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, thank You for empowering me by Your spirit to do everything that I’m called to do. Thank You for Your hand of blessing upon me as I submit my ways to You. I declare: I can do all things in Jesus’ name! Amen.

PS...  Love Is Tactful, Not Just Truthful by Rick Warren “A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.” (Proverbs 16:21 TEV) Have you noticed how many difficult people there are in the world? Do you feel like you have to deal with most of them some days? You know what rude acts bug me the most? People who call me and then say, “Who is this?” People who honk their horns in traffic jams. People who cheat in the 10-items-or-less grocery line. People who steal your parking spot. The list goes on, and I’m sure you can relate. So, how should we respond in love to difficult people? Proverbs 16:21 says, “A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is” (TEV). The more pleasant you are, the more persuasive you are. And, you’re never persuasive when you’re abrasive. Nagging doesn’t work. The way you say something determines the way it’s received. If you say something offensively, it’s going to be received defensively. That’s why love is all about your words. Love is truthful, but it is also tactful. Tact and tone always go together. It matters the way you say something, not justwhat you say. You can say something very difficult for someone to hear, but if you say it in the right tone — a loving tone — it will be received much better. A loving response to a difficult person requires you to be pleasant and tactful. If you want to be below that difficult person, attack him. If you want to be even with him, get even with him. But if you want to respond the way Jesus would, show that person love with the words you say and the way you say them. Talk It Over You may have heard the saying, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Do you think the best response to a difficult person is ever to just walk away? Why or why not? What would you need to change about your attitude to be known as a “wise, mature person”? What does it mean to be tactful?