September 22

Spiritual Vitamins Day 22 by SGLY Ministry

SPIRITUAL VITAMIN Q : QUIETNESS

“..quietness and confidence shall be your strength” Isaiah 30:15 NKJV

Today’s Thought:
God spoke these words to Judah when the people were turning away from Him and trusting in themselves, other people, and things of the world.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength But you would not,”

Those are sad words: “But you would not”
Sad because they reveal wrong choices had been made that would result in adverse circumstances.

Today’s Action:
Let’s not be like Judah.
Let’s quietly trust and rest in God.
Let’s always return to Him to replenish our strength for the day and let’s have the quiet confidence that He will always be there for us and make a way where there seems to be no way.
Let’s quietly and confidently walk in His strength today and everyday, so that He may say about us: “But you would.”

QUIETNESS means:
to be still, silent to rest, be calm

CONFIDENCE means:
relying on, trusting, believing in

Today let us be quiet, [still, silent, calm, at rest] before the Lord, confident [relying on, trusting, believing ] that our strength comes from Him.

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The Critical Mind

[Jesus said] A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. — Matthew 7:18-20

Have you ever met someone who had “the gift of suspicion”? They are everywhere—even in church. Recently I heard a man commenting about such a woman in his church. He said she always seemed to think the worst of everyone. If someone did something generous, she would say, “What does he expect to get out of that? I suppose he wants us all to bow and thank him.”

On one occasion, someone commented about what a friendly, happy person an usher was. “That’s his public face,” the woman said. “He’s always smiling, but I’ll bet when he gets home and away from everyone else, he doesn’t smile like that.”

He went on to say if someone chided her for her critical attitude, the woman only responded by saying, “I just call things as I see them. You’re always trying to make things look better than they are.”

The man finally realized that it wasn’t good for him to be around her, and he began to distance himself from her as much as possible.

I believe this man made a good decision. I have discovered during my years in ministry that when someone with a critical spirit comes into a group or a meeting, it doesn’t take much for others to become infected with it. It reminds me of the saying about one bad apple spoiling the whole bushel.

Over the years, I’ve met people who were very much like this lady. They’re often tormented by their judgmental attitudes, critical spirits, and suspicious minds. They also destroy many relationships by their words.

Matthew 7:18 says these “bad fruits” tell us a lot about the “tree,” but that doesn’t give us the right to judge. We must remember that no one is perfect—each of us is a work in progress. While it may be wise not to be too closely associated with such people, we must be careful that we don’t judge them according to our standards and beliefs. We must pray for them and keep a godly attitude. Part of being a loving, caring Christian is to realize that people may not see things in this life exactly as we do. We are not all at the same level of Christian maturity, but we can be sure that God knows everything about each one of us. We must leave any judging to the only righteous judge—Jesus Christ.

James writes: [My] brethren, do not speak evil about or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge [of it]. One only is the Lawgiver and Judge Who is able to save and to destroy [the one Who has the absolute power of life and death]. [But you] who are you that [you presume to] pass judgment on your neighbor? (James 4:11–12).

Paul asks, Who are you to pass judgment on and censure another’s household servant? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he shall stand and be upheld, for the Master (the Lord) is mighty to support him and make him stand (Romans 14:4).

Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for criticizing others. I know that You are the only one who is qualified to judge Your children. Help me remember that all of us, including me, must give account of ourselves to You—and only to You. Help me, Lord Jesus, to bear good fruit in my own life that will bring glory to You. Amen.

From the book Battlefield of the Mind Devotional by Joyce Meyer

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Be a Doer of the Word

My life makes its boast in the Lord. —Psalm 34:2

I have found three principles to be life changing when followed faithfully every day:

1. Eliminate excuses and avoid procrastination. Being a doer of the Word is putting your faith into action. Faith without action is dead faith (See James 2:20 KJV).
2. Face the truth no matter how painful it is. Truth is the only thing that will set you free (See John 8:32). God’s Word is full of truth. Start your day in the Word of God.
3. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Understand who you are in Jesus Christ. You are more than capable in Him (See Philippians 4:13).

From the book Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year by Joyce Meyer.

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Welcome to Verse of the Day!

Today's Bible Verse: Isaiah 55:10-11 "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (NLT)

Today's Inspiring Thought: God's Word Is Fail-Safe

What an amazing promise about the power of God's holy Word.

It always produces fruit. It never fails to accomplish everything God intends for it to do, and thrives everywhere God sends it.

We don't have to worry about carefully explaining and defending the Bible. It is fail-safe—guaranteed not to fail. All we have to do is read it, believe it, speak it, and live it. God will do the rest.

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More Than Enough

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19

Paul tells us God will "liberally supply" all of our needs. He doesn't promise God will give us everything we want, but he does assure us God will meet our every need.

Many times we think of needs in terms of the basic necessities of life. These represent our physical needs, but I believe God created us to need more than these essentials. We don't simply need money, nourishment, a roof over our heads, and clothes to wear. We also need wisdom, strength, health, friends, and loved ones; and we need the gifts and talents and abilities to help us do what we are supposed to do in life. We need many things, and God is willing to meet all of our needs when we trust and obey Him.

Power Thought: God liberally supplies all of my needs.

From the book the book Power Thoughts Devotional by Joyce Meyer.

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Be a Peace Maker

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peace makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17, 18

“Do your children live near you?” This question is important to me since my children live far away—on three continents—and I don’t see them often.

“Yes, they live near me,” he answered sadly. “But I never see them. We’re not speaking to each other.”

How tragic!

But this man is not alone. I find that many a parent’s heart has been broken because a son or a daughter is avoiding them. I hear sad words like these: “My children never call.” “My daughter has time for everyone else but me.”

Can you feel the hurt in those words? Let me pass on what has helped me during a time when my children were estranged from me. Often an estrangement develops during a traumatic time such as a death or a divorce. Raw emotions take time to process. We need to give our children time and space to sort them out.

“If only we could talk,” I’d often think. “Then we’d come to some understanding.” But this may not be the time for talking. When you are in conflict, concentrate on reconciliation rather than resolution. How?

First, we need to realize that no family member can meet our love needs. Only God can do that. That’s why we need to bask in God’s love by feeding on Scripture verses that speak of His love and delight in us (such as Ephesians 3:16-19) When we’re secure in His love, we’ll be able to let go of the you-guys-owe-me feeling and reach out to our children in love.

Pray for each of your children by name with thanksgiving. I often used Scripture as my prayer such as Colossians 1:9-12.

Be a peace maker by reaching out: remember birthdays and other special occasions. Let your children know they’re welcome in your home.

Trust in God’s timing to bring you together again. It may take several years (as it did in my case) but in His time reconciliation comes. We have His promise: “Peace makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
By Helen Lescheid

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Bible Verses

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. —John 14:21

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Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. — Matthew 5:3

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Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

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James 4:7 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

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2 Corinthians 13:14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

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Prayers

Prayer for Purity of Worship

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you and worthily praise your holy name. Through Christ I pray, Amen.

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Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted me as a living member of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have blessed me with the grace of forgiveness through the sacrifice He made for me and for all people. Send me now into the world in peace, and grant me strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Free From Condemnation

Thank You for releasing me from guilt and shame. I am in Christ Jesus, walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and I am no longer under condemnation. I am blessed; my iniquities are forgiven, and my sins covered. The Lord is not bringing any charge against me. You are not counting my sin against me, and in my spirit is no deceit. Thank You for giving me the grace to accept and forgive myself for I am wonderfully made. In the name of Jesus, You are my Creator. Amen.

Scripture Reading Romans 8:1 (KJV) Romans 4:7-8 (KJV) Psalm 32:1-2 (KJV)

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Dear Lord, "I'll never really know that You are all I need, until You are all I have,"* will I? ... Remind me that You are indeed faithful; even in my darkest hour, or in my loneliest moments, I can count on You to sustain me. Help me to know this in my spirit, and in my heart. ... How sincerely I believe this will depend on how closely I have walked with You, won't it? Help me to resolve to spend some quality time with You each day.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

* (from DeVerne Fromke)

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

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Dear Lord, it is so easy to give up. Please give me the wisdom and strength to keep trying.

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Dear heavenly Father, thank you, Lord, for all of the wonderful things You have done for me! I do appreciate each and every one of them. Lord, I do want to always remain humble, not only in Your sight, but in the sight of men, as well. May I have the grace to be a servant to others and not to think of myself more highly than anyone else, as every child of God is important in Your sight. Not one of Your children is more important than another. We are all important, because we belong to You. Help us not to glory in that, but rather be humbled by that fact. I ask this in the name of Jesus, who humbled Himself to endure the cross for each of us. Amen.