November 11

Attitude of Gratitude – Day 11 by SGLY Ministry

I AM GRATEFUL FOR….FAVOR OF GOD
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:4-5 [NKJV]

An Attitude of Gratitude Thought and Prayer:
Dear God I am grateful for Your favor to me.
You show me kindness in so many little ways.
You delight my heart and remind me daily of Your love for me, so that I feel secure.
Many times when I have been approved or held in high regard, I know it is because of Your doing.
Even in times of sorrow, You were there to comfort me, give me hope and bring me joy in the morning. I thank and praise You Lord God, that I have Your favor!

Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain. Psalm 30:7

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But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. (NLT) Matthew 7:26

The Bible has a lot to say on how we should live our lives. If we know how we are supposed to live and disregard that knowledge it is foolish. As we build our lives, we should strive to build it on a solid foundation that will last forever, the Kingdom of God. What are you building your house on?

Daily Bible Devotion

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A New Way of Thinking by Joyce Meyer

Infuse Your Mind with Faith

One of my favorite things to say is, "Where the mind goes, the man follows," because the way you think determines the way you live…. Yesterday, you may have let your mind focus on the negative—what you can't do, how badly you've messed up, all the things that could go wrong—but today you can submit your mind to the Word of God. You can actually choose the thoughts you are going to dwell on. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can change your thoughts today. You can choose a better, more positive, more fulfilling life. —Joyce

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV

Over the years, the Lord has shown me so much about the power of our thoughts. In fact, the two major lessons He has taught me are...

1. Our thoughts affect every single area of our lives.

2. We have a choice—we can choose our thoughts!

I often say this is where Satan fights us—on the “battlefield” of the mind.

He tries to get us caught up thinking bad or negative thoughts. But as believers who have the Word of God inside of us, we have the tools to defeat him.

For many years I went to church faithfully, week after week, but I wasn’t living a victorious Christian life. I read my Bible every day, served on the evangelism board and went door-to-door telling people about Jesus because I really wanted to serve God.

But even though I was doing those things, I was still miserable most of the time!

I would go to church on Sunday, but then fight with my husband during the week and get frustrated with my kids a lot. I’d feel miserable, depressed, and angry...then go back to church on Sunday.

Ephesians 4:23 says to be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind...

This is so important, because it’s impossible to have a positive, peaceful life and have a negative mind.

I’ve discovered that when we take time to renew our minds with God’s Word, we learn how to think like God thinks, say what God says, and act like He wants us to act.

Then we can have what He wants us to have—abundant life in Christ, filled with His righteousness, peace and joy (see John 10:10 and Romans 14:17).
So, when is your mind “normal”?

So many people live with negative, anxious or fearful thoughts, but they think it’s normal because they’ve thought this way for years. However, First Corinthians 2:16 says we have the mind of Christ.

For instance, many people think it’s normal to worry, but as a Christian, worrying is not a normal way of thinking.

Philippians 4:6 says we are to be anxious for nothing (NKJV). This doesn’t mean we won’t ever feel worried, but when we do, we can pray and give it to God. We can have His peace while we go through a hard time.

I used to spend so much of my time worrying about my problems. I would constantly think, What if? and run through every scenario. I had to figure everything out!

However, God wants us to experience His peace. He wants us to cast our cares on Him and choose to trust Him (see 1 Peter 5:7). One way we trust God is by refusing to worry—refusing to dwell on all of our fears and the what ifs.

I love Isaiah 26:3. It says, You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You (AMPC).

You Can Choose!

It was such a revelation for me when I realized I didn’t have to think about just anything that came into my mind. I could choose my thoughts and do my own thinking—on purpose.

There is a way to have righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. There’s way to have victory in our circumstances and not live according to what the world views as “normal”...

It all begins with renewing our minds. The choice is up to us.

Here’s where to begin:
Make the decision to spend time each day reading and meditating on the Word. Pray and ask God to help you understand how to apply the wisdom you discover to your everyday life.

As you do your part to renew your mind, God will do His. And you’ll love the transformation that comes with having a “normal” mind...the mind of Christ!

Tip from Joyce: “As you read or listen to God’s Word and spend time talking to Him in prayer, your spirit will eventually become stronger than your flesh.” – Joyce Meyer

Study Suggestion: Make a habit of studying God’s Word in the area of thoughts. Here are some scriptures to get you started! 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, *Deuteronomy 30:19, *Ephesians 4:22-24, *Hebrews 4:12, *Romans 12:2, *Colossians 3:1-2, *Romans 8:37.

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Today's Bible Verse: Matthew 11:28–30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (ESV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: Rest for Your Soul

Do you need a vacation from the heavy burden of sin that you've been carrying? Do you need to rest? Jesus promises that when we submit ourselves to his yoke—when we surrender our lives to him and take on his new life—we will find a refreshing rest for our souls.

The Lord offers us a trade. As we take on his yoke, which is easy and light, Jesus lifts our burden by carrying upon himself the load of our sin.

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Today's Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: A Future and a Hope

Jeremiah prophesied these words of the Lord to the people of Israel at a time when their future looked desolate; they were facing 70 years in exile. But, it was all part of God's plan. Captivity would cause them to repent and return to wholehearted worship of the Lord.

You may not always understand what God is doing in your life, especially when your future seems bleak, but you can trust that God's Word is true. He is working out a plan for you, and it includes a bright hope for your future

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Fret Buster Author Unknown

Give it to the Lord
When fear comes, don’t give-way.
When hardship comes, don’t give-up.
When temptation comes, don’t give-in.
When the enemy comes, don’t give-place.
When any kind of trial or temptation comes, give-it to the Lord.
He will deliver you from fear:
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NKJV
He will rescue you from hardship:
You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 2 Timothy 3:11 NLT
He will show you a way to escape temptation:
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
He will give you the victory over the enemy:
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 NKJV

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Give thanks to Him... Who remembered us in our low estate

"Give thanks to Him... Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever" Psalm: 136:23

I am sure we all have experienced lows in our lives sometime or other. It could have been a health condition or unhappiness or joblessness or something else that we can all relate to.

Those were the days when help wasn't near; we were not sure whom to run to, what to do, how to manage. Faith was being tested to a great extent. Friends were rare and we were at the lowest of our lows.

But God remembered us! Our faith was restored & our joy renewed.

Now, let us go back in time to see how God remembered us in our low estate - just scanning it all in our minds - and thank Him for that. Let's share our testimonies of how God led us through certain hardship with our friends, family and especially our children. Let us also be kind to those who might be in dire situations like we once were and help the best way we can...

For some of us, may be these are the lowly days... Our Lord remembers you as we speak - He has not forgotten you!

Let us remember to thank the Lord who remember(ed) us in our low estate!

Coffee with Jesus

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“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NRSV)

Good morning, Lord.

As I sit in my cozy room looking out at what is left of the night sky as well as the peach-hued sunrise fringed by tall pines, I am reminded again of Your quiet but miraculous power. There is perfection in Your mornings, Lord, before the household is up and the lights come on, before the television news intrudes into the day and I pick up that rusty bucket of worries, cares and to-do lists that I tend to drag with me throughout my waking hours. When at night I close my eyes on the weariness, frustration and toil of the day, I turn my circumstances and my world over to You. I go to sleep on my messy situations and wake up to a clean palette of silence and beauty. You are the source of serenity and loveliness, Lord. You ask us to be still and know that You are God. You even give us beautiful morning hours—and moments of sanctuary throughout a busy day—if only we will notice and take advantage of them.

Faith Step: Today, Lord, help me to see the beauty you have made, to find the pockets of time that I know are there. Help me to give thanks and praise and to be still so that I can hear Your voice and once again be assured that You are God.

Author Unknown

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Still Standing

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (Psalm 40:2, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

All of us can look back at things that should have defeated us. Maybe a divorce or bad break should have taken you down, but look — you’re still standing! That addiction, that partying lifestyle should have killed you, but because of a praying loved one, you’re still standing and becoming freer. Or, maybe you lost a loved one. You didn’t think you could go on. You thought you’d seen your best days, but God breathed new life into you. He lifted you out of the pit and put a new song in your heart, and here you are today, still standing.

When you go through difficult things, it’s an opportunity to see the goodness of God shine in the darkness. You see Him lift you up, restore you, promote you and heal you. When you have this history with God, you don’t get discouraged by every difficulty. You don’t fall apart because of a disappointment. You don’t get upset because people are talking about you. You know that God brought you through in the past, and He is going to bring you through in the future! Rejoice today because you are still standing and headed to the place of total victory!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, thank You for lifting me out of my difficulty and for helping me stand on solid ground. I trust Your goodness. I know that You are faithful. Help me stay focused on Your victory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Today's Bible Verse: Isaiah 40:31 ... but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: Wait for the Lord

Got strength? No. Then, wait. Wait?!

We don't know much about waiting in this instant age of ours. But God tells us to wait. If you want to renew your energy and exchange your weakness for his strength, you must wait. Oh, but the reward is worth it! You won't just walk without fainting, or run without weariness—you will soar on heights like the eagles. So, wait ...

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Today’s Scripture: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, NKJV)

Strength under Control

When most people hear that word “meek,” they think of a weak, shy, reserved or timid person who lets everybody run all over them. But that’s not at all what it means to be meek. Meekness is not weakness; it’s strength under control. Meekness is like a wild horse that has been tamed. He’s just as strong, just as powerful, has just as much speed as before; but now that strength is under control. You can walk up to that horse, pet him, lead him around, and ride him. But don’t be fooled. He has the same power and tenacity as before; he’s just learned how to control it.

When you’re a meek person, you don’t have to go around trying to straighten everybody out. You don’t respond to every critic. People may be talking about you, but you don’t let it bother you. You may have the power to do something about it, but you realize your time is too valuable. You don’t fall for every distraction. Instead, you keep your focus on what God has called you to do. That’s meekness—having strength under control!

A Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for the blessing of meekness. I choose today to be a person of self-control. Help me to know when to speak and when to listen, when to respond and when to hold back. Help me to honor You in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Joel Osteen

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Bible Verses

JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. (Proverbs 12:25)

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Isaiah 40:29-31 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

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Hebrews 3:13 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

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Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

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"Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10a)

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1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

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Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

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Prayers

To Help Others This Day

Heavenly Lord, I pray that this day, you will continue to bless me, that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can’t find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don’t know you intimately. I pray that others will find your strength, so that they can love and help one another. I pray for those who don’t believe, that they may find you.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember the example of my Lord and Savior: to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. Remind me, nudge me, let me remember to find you when I’m feel like I'm pushed beyond my limits. In Christ's name, I come to you, Amen.

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Forgiven

Father, in the name of Jesus, I am blessed. I am happy because You gave me a fresh start; my slate’s wiped clean. I count myself blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied)—You are holding nothing against me and You’re not holding anything back from me. When I confessed my sin, my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. In the Name of Jesus I thank You! (Receiving Forgiveness, Volume 3 of Prayers That Avail Much)

Psalm 32:1-6; Romans 4:7-8

To Spread the Gospel

Father God, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior you have found my heart worthy enough to save, and have entrusted me to spread the Gospel. You have handed to me the very keys to the kingdom of heaven. Let me not grow weary of His cause. And by His grace and mercies given to me, let me be proven worthy of my call. As your Son taught us, the harvest is plentiful, but the gatherers are few. Let me stand for my call in Jesus Christ and take my place among those who gather, not by argument and rancor, but by living as a shining light before the world, always ready to witness to your gifts, your Word, and your glory. Amen.

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Let me not forget my prayers as I go out into the world. Holy Spirit, be with me, and let me praise you and remember you in my every action and thought, for the entire day long. In Christ's name I ask this, Amen.

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Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Please help me today. Even the smallest of things get to me. Please grant me the serenity to get through today, the patience to work with others, and the wisdom to know that everything will be okay in the end.