August 16

Just For Today – Part 2 — Day 23 - Put On Wisdom by SGLY Ministry

Just for Today I will put on…WISDOM
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, Proverbs 3:13 (NIV)

Today’s Action:
Surely we are blessed to find Wisdom, for Proverbs 2:9,10 say when wisdom enters our heart we will understand what is right, just, and fair, and we will find the right way to go.

In 1 Corinthians 1:24 Paul says:
“But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

Therefore, believers, in Christ, God has given us wisdom, for Christ is the wisdom of God, and this wisdom is not only for our own use, but also that we might use it for God’s glory.
For, Paul says in Ephesians 3:10 “that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.”

Therefore, when we put on the Wisdom God has given to us in Christ we shine and reflect His glory in many different ways to all the powers and principalities in the unseen world as well as to people we meet here on earth!
Now that is something we should seek to do daily!

For ” the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 (NLT)

Just for Today, then, let’s put on and use the wisdom we have been blessed with in Christ and shine in many ways for Him!

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Ephesians 3:3 'God Himself revealed His mysterious plan to me.'

- How awesome it is to know that the Lord always has a plan.
- His plans are always greater than we could have imagined or thought.
- His plans include each one of His children.
- May He reveal His mysterious and wonderful plan for your situation!

PRAYER: Lord, thank You that You don't operate in some random set of ideas. You have a distinct plan and blueprint in everything, and that includes my life. Reveal it to me I pray. Amen.

Kind Regards
Pastor Andrew Roebert

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What Time is it? by Gail Rodgers

When my brother visited from overseas this summer it took him a bit of time to adjust to the time change. He was tired and slightly disoriented until the change became the “new normal” for him.

It reminded me of the time changes that God records in the Bible. Time changes come and go in every life at one time or another and they are part of life. You will recognize many of them. You will have experienced some and there will be more for you to encounter as you journey through life. Listen:

Ecclesiastes 3: 1- 8

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;

A time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Think about the season of life you find yourself in today. Are you resisting the time changes you are facing? Are you hanging on tightly to something that needs to change? Is it a time to throw away something and embrace something new? A time to build something new…..or pluck out something old?

This unusual book of Ecclesiastes highlights the fact that man’s efforts on this earth are meaningless apart from God.

Look at the changes facing you today and put them into perspective with God’s help. Ask Him to help you find His path as you journey through changes that bring joy and those that are hard. He is the one who can put meaning into life. He is the one who can redeem the broken places. He is the one who helps us face both the joy and challenge of new seasons that bring a “new normal” to our days. He will help you journey through your seasons with His grace.

~Father God,
Thank you that You will help me face the changes in my life. Thank you that You will walk with me and guide me. Help me to find purpose and meaning as You lead me through both the good and the uncomfortable seasons of life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Questions to ponder: Are you resisting the changes in your life that are taking place? What are you hanging on to so tightly that God is nudging you to let go of?

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You can press through by Alive to God

This has been an encouragement to me. You and I can press through and take hold of what God has in store for us. There is a story in the New Testament about a lady who was determined to press through the crowd and take hold of that which God had for her. You and I can have the same determination to press through and take hold of everything that God has for us.
Mark 5:28-29 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch His clothing, I will be healed.” And sure enough, as soon as she had touched Him, the bleeding stopped and she knew she was well!
You can press through and know the victory God has for you!

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Bible Verses

Psalm 46:1 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

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"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

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Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

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For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. —Romans 8:15-16

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James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

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Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. — Psalms 105:4

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You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21

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Prayers

Prayer for the Morning

Good morning, dear Father; thank you for this day, Help me to follow you in every way. Let me speak as you speak, and do as you do; Let me help others, as you help them, too.

Help me to be honest, don't let me play games, Help me to grow, yet still stay the same. Help me not to be selfish, to give of my heart, my mind and my labor; Give all - not just part.

Help me to love others, my family, my friends, Bless all of my foes, help me make amends. Help me be kind, Father, where I am needed, let Me give warm attention, and see all needs are met.

Help keep me busy, to strive for the best, Help me not to be lazy, but find needed rest. Let me come to you, Father, throughout the day, Often to thank you, often to pray. Amen.

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Prayer to Look Beyond Appearances

Heavenly Father, I confess that in my life, I have been more attentive to someone who was beautiful and ignored another who was not. I have judged people by the way they look, by how old they are, by how they are dressed; and yet I know, in my heart, that all souls are beautiful to you and that you have commanded us to love one another, not through the sinful eye of our body and our emotions, but through the perfect eye of your Spirit.

Help me, I pray, to see other people as you see them. as fellow souls struggling to find you. Let me not be deceived by appearance; let me not be misled by my prejudice. Let me not compare the outside of other people to the inside of myself, nor believe that the circumstances of my birth defined a standard that others are supposed to meet. Let me see my own imperfection, and not that of my fellow man, this I pray, Amen.

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If you are with me, O God, who can be against me? For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord. Amen.

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Dear Lord, help me to learn to release my yesterdays, especially when I may have lived by my own desires and not by Your Word. Remind me that You want me to sincerely repent, and to commit myself anew. ... Teach me, Lord, to leave my tomorrows in Your hands, knowing that You want the best for me. ... Help me to look forward to each new day with open arms! Let me learn to seek Your will early in the morning, and to recognize the blessings and opportunities that await me. Every day You show Your love in so many ways; thank You that I can indeed count on You. Help me, Lord, to recognize my many opportunities for sharing Your love with others, and help me to be the faithful servant that You want me to be.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen.

© 2000 by D. L. Hammond, Permission to copy granted for noncommercial use.

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Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: and go not aside from him, lest ye fall. Ye that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not be made void. Sirach 2:6-8 Douay-Rheims

Dear Father in heaven, we come before you to receive what we need as your children who cannot find help and guidance on our own, but only through your Spirit. Enlighten us by your Word, which you alone can give. You will give us your Word so that we can know with absolute certainty and clarity how to serve you. Your Word will show us the truth that is to be revealed on earth in Jesus Christ. Shelter us in your hands. Strengthen us especially during suffering, and free us from fear and trembling. Fill our hearts with patience and joy. Amen.

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Dear Lord, please help me help those in need. Let me be their strength and fill the courage they may lack. Please give me the wisdom to show them that it is okay to trust others, for sometimes that is the only path one can take.