Choose Life and Blessing

Choose Life and Blessing TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19, NKJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Did you know that with your words you can either bless your future or curse your future? Your words have creative power. If you want to know what your life is going to be like five years from now, just listen to what you’re saying about yourself today! Too many people go around saying, “I’ll never get well.” “I’ll never get out of debt.” “It’s flu season. I’ll probably get it.” “This marriage is never going to last.” Then they wonder why they don’t see things turn around. It’s because they’re calling defeat into their future. They’re calling in mediocrity. Don’t let that be you! When you get up in the morning, no matter how you feel, no matter what things look like, instead of using your words to describe your situation, use your words to change your situation. Make a declaration of faith by saying, “This is going to be a great day. I have God’s favor. He’s directing my steps.” When you do that, you are choosing life and blessing. You are calling in favor, increase and opportunities, and you will move forward in the life of blessing He has for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, I commit my words to You today. I choose to speak good things over my life and bless my future. Keep me close to You and use me for Your glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Five Things To Do in the Middle of the Storm

BY RICK WARREN — JULY 9, 2014

“But when [Peter] saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted.” (Matthew 14:30 NIV)

When you’re going through a storm, God is not distant or uninvolved. He is “I Am,” and he is working in your life for your good. But he also has some things he wants you to do. Here are five things God wants you to do if you feel you’re sinking in a storm.

Have courage, because Jesus is with you.

Don’t ever argue with a fear. Just tell it where to go! Tell it to go talk to Jesus.

Take a risk in faith.

Don’t ask God to bless what you’re doing. Do what God is blessing. Ask him what he wants you to do, and then be willing to get out of the boat in an instant.

Stay focused on Jesus.

The moment you take your eyes off the Lord, you’re going under. Matthew 14:30 says, “But when [Peter] saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted” (NIV). When you focus on the wind and the waves — your circumstances — you’re going to sink, just like Peter. If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed; if you look within, you’ll be depressed; if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.

Don’t doubt.

You don’t need great faith to make it through the storm in your life. You just need faith in the right person.

Praise God.

Even in the storm, even when you feel like you’re sinking, even when you’re scared to death — praise him all the time. Thank God in the middle of the storm.

What storm is scaring you right now? What storm is sinking you right now? Why do you think God is letting you go through this storm?

He’s letting you go through this storm for the same reasons he sent the disciples into the storm — to say, “I’m all you need. I can handle anything. I will come to you in the ninth hour. And I’ll come walking on the very thing that scares you the most. I’m not asking you to come to me. I’m going to come to you. You need to stop being afraid, and you need to totally trust me in faith.”

Talk It Over

• How have you grown spiritually and in your understanding of God because of the storms in your life?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pkWrvCZDHA
• What can you do to limit the distractions that keep you from focusing on God?