You are Closer than You Think

You are Closer than You Think TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: …He said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’ Mark 2:10-12, NKJV. TODAY'S WORD: In Mark chapter two, the Bible talks about a man who was paralyzed. He heard that Jesus was in town teaching at another house, and the man knew that Jesus could heal him. The paralyzed man convinced four of his friends to carry him on his bed to where Jesus was. When they arrived, the house was so packed that they couldn’t get in. Instead of just giving up and going home, the man was so determined that he convinced his friends to climb up on the roof, cut a hole in it, and lower him down right in front of Jesus! Now this man understood that you are closest to your victory when you face the greatest opposition. A lot of people would have seen the crowd and gone home—even though they were just a few feet away from their miracle. Don’t let that be you! What are you believing for? Don’t give up just because there is opposition. Don’t let others discourage you from seeing your miracle. Keep pressing through because today you are closer than you think to the victory God has in store for you! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, I release all of my cares and anxieties on You. I trust that my breakthrough is coming. I choose to press in and not give up until I see my miracle in Jesus’ name. Amen. PS... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn5CMSSAx_c Live God's Way: Exercise by Rick Warren “But what happens when we live God's way? .... We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.” (Galatians 5:22-23 MSG)    Think about this: God wouldn’t have designed your body to need physical exercise and at the same time intend for exercise to be the most grueling, tedious thing you have to do. God knows we’re all shaped differently, so he provided a variety of physical activities we can take part in. There’s an exercise out there for every one of us. The best exercise is the one that you will actually do because you enjoy it. So what do you love? What sounds like fun? Ask God to show you what it is, and give it a try, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone. Galatians 5:22 says, “But what happens when we live God's way? .... We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely” (MSG). Here’s a good place to start: Move toward joy. If you think of exercise as drudgery, as an “ought to” in your life, your motivation disappears. If you “direct your energies wisely” and do something you enjoy, something you “get to” do, you’ll find that motivation just flows. Talk It Over What activities do you enjoy or did you once enjoy before you got too busy? Share what comes to mind when you reflect on the phrase “Move toward joy.” What activity will you pursue today that will move you toward joy and health?