September 5

Spiritual Vitamins Day 5 by SGLY Ministry

SPIRITUAL VITAMIN C: CONSIDER
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they neither toil nor spin and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” –Jesus
Matthew 11: 28,29 (NKJV)

Today’s Thought:
Consider the lilies growing out in the fields.
How do they grow?
Who takes care of them?
Who planted their seed?
Who fertilizes their soil?
Who waters them?
How are the weeds kept from choking them out?
The answer is God–He is the Master Gardener.
He takes care of them and He will take care of us.

Today’s Action:
Today, may this scripture be the vitamin that you need to continue growing in your current situation. Consider that He will always provide what you need as you depend on Him for all your resources.

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Sleep On It

You may have heard the expression, “Sleep on it,” used to recommend waiting overnight to make a decision. Often when presented with a dilemma that I cannot seem to solve, I will intentionally wait until the next morning to make the decision. I attribute the benefit of this to having a clearer mind after a night’s sleep.

However, Psalm 16:7 writes, “I will bless the Lord who counsels me; he gives me wisdom in the night and tells me what to do.” TLB

It could be that it is not only a good night’s sleep and a clear mind that help when waiting overnight; It may be that God is helping us with our decisions and dilemmas.

Dear Lord, when we trust you, you are with us in many ways. Help us remember to come to you with our challenges and you will provide us wisdom and guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

http://seekyefirstthekingdom.net/

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Today’s Scripture: “And I will make with them a covenant of peace...” (Ezekiel 34:25, KJV)

Covenant of Peace

No matter what you may be facing in life, God is with you. You don’t ever have to feel anxious, worried or upset because you have a covenant of peace with Almighty God. That means His peace is always available to you.

The Bible tells us that God’s peace passes understanding. That means you can have peace when it doesn’t make sense to have peace. When the rest of the world seems to be upset or fretting, you don’t have to be upset. When gas prices go up, you can be at peace knowing that God has promised to supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. When the housing market seems unstable, you can trust that God is your refuge, and He will cause you to dwell in safety. He’ll make a way where there seems to be no way.

Begin to thank God for His peace and faithfulness in your life. Declare that the peace of God rules in your heart and mind. As you dwell on God’s promises, your heart will be at rest, and you’ll experience the blessing of His peace all the days of your life.

A Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for Your covenant of peace. I receive it by faith today. I choose to keep my heart and mind fixed on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Joel Osteen

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Progress

Each day is an opportunity to make progress in my life.

We are always making progress, even when we are seemingly taking two steps forward and three steps back. We cannot unlearn what we have learned just as we cannot undo what we have experienced.

With that in mind, I make the decision to point myself in a purposeful direction. I have learned from my experiences. I seek to do more of what makes a positive difference in my life and less of what does not.

Even in times of chaos there is order. A failure shows me what not to do. I have faith that as I listen to that “still, small voice” I will be guided. I proceed with confidence, optimism, and trust. Each day is an adventure and an opportunity to make progress in my life.

Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.—1 Timothy 4:15

Daily Word

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Take a Minute

The room is tense. Emotions are running high. Everyone shouts their opinions. Tempers are hot. Suddenly, someone speaks above the noise, “Hey, let’s just take a minute.”

The room goes silent and still. Everyone takes a few deep breaths. The meeting moves forward with respect and civility.

Maybe you’ve been in a similar meeting or family discussion and appreciated someone who dared to speak up. “Let’s just take a minute.”

Maybe it wasn’t a meeting with others, but it happened in your mind. You wake up in the middle of the night with chaos in your mind. One voice reminds you of things you must do today, and another points out things you should have done yesterday. A third shouts about your financial situation, and others scream accusations and criticisms you can’t understand. Finally, a calming voice says, “Take a minute.”

You take a minute. Take some deep breaths. Calm your mind, your heart, and your soul. You fall back to sleep.

I suspect, in one form or another, those scenarios play out in all of us occasionally. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. When it happens, take a minute. Take a breath or two. Take a walk. Calm your mind, your heart, and your soul.

Take a minute. Ask the Lord to take the craziness away.

Once, the disciples of Jesus were in a boat when a storm was about to overtake them. Somehow, Jesus was sleeping through it. So, they woke him up. He was calm and said, “Take a minute,” and said to the storm, “Quiet! Be still.” They were amazed.

Today may be the perfect time for you to take a minute. Maybe you’ll be amazed.

A Norvell Note

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Bible Verses

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” Galatians 5:22-23

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A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

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Psalm 92:4 – For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

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"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God..." (Ephesians 2:19)

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Deuteronomy 15:7-8 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.

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A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

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Prayers

For the Day's Work

O God, who orders all things in heaven and earth: Help me to go about the tasks and duties of this day with the remembrance that I am your servant therein. Make me honest, painstaking, and cheerful, and grant that all I do and say may bring good to others and glory to your Holy Name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

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God of mercy, swift to help: as my lips pour forth your praise, fill my heart with the peace you give to those who wait for your salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Thanksgiving

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O most High. Now thanks be unto You, our God who always leads us to triumph in Christ, and through us infuses (manifests) the fragrance of Your knowledge in every place. Thank You for Your unspeakable gift. You give us the victory, and we give thanks always for all things unto You, our God and Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Scripture Reading Psalm 92:1 2 Corinthians 2:14 Ephesians 5:20
2 Corinthians 9:15

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Dear Lord, slow me down, and let me listen to the language of my heart. Let me sense the quickening of my spirit, and realize that my soul has questions that only You can answer. ... Let me take on fewer tasks so that those I do tackle may be pleasing to You. ... It is not quantity that counts but quality, isn't it? Help me to make my time worth something -- encouraging, caring, helpful, productive, at home with family and loved ones, at work with colleagues and associates, and with others encountered throughout the day. Let me make someone's day brighter because our paths crossed. Help me to reflect Your love and concern, trusting You to give me the words to say, when needed to brighten someone's day. Let me not miss the opportunities that cross my path.

In Jesus' name I pray.

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

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My Father, may I consider the place in which I stand: and may I not be deceived in thinking I am near thee while I am living far away. Teach me the way to draw nearer to thee each day, until my spirit may continually dwell with thee. Amen.

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God our Father, may all of life’s experiences lead us to grow as people who always put love into all that we do. May we live in such a way that our attitude and words and actions reflect to all people their own value, dignity and self-worth, helping people to feel wanted and appreciated for who they are. Amen.

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A Model of Good Deeds

Titus 2:1-8

Dear Father, whose word is sound doctrine,

Let me teach by word and example what conforms to the sound doctrine of your word. Help me to be temperate, serious, sensible, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

Let me show myself in all respects to be a model of good deeds, and in my teaching and example to show integrity, gravity, and sound expression that cannot be criticized, so that any one who opposes your teaching may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of me.

In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

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“A Prayer For Storing Up God’s Commands”

Father, I want to store up Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. It is my Guiding Light so that as I live by faith I will triumph over evil. Help me to rebuke the devil’s temptations with Scripture just as Jesus did during the wilderness temptations. I may be weak, but Your Word is powerful to fight off the temptation to sin and to reassure me that You are with me even when others may forsake me. As a sign of my love for You I will obey Your commands and heed Your instruction. I can do this because I have stored up Your truths and commands in my heart and because Christ gives me strength. Amen.

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Dear Lord, sometimes I feel as if no one cares. I feel alone and lost, and then I look up and feel your spirit with me.

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Dear heavenly Father, thank you for all of the wonderful things You have done for me. I do appreciate Your wisdom, Your love, Your provision and Your watch-care over my life and my family. I am grateful that no weapon formed against me prospers. Lord, I humble myself before You and ask You to help me to walk in Your ways and not yield to the temptations that the devil would whisper to me. Lord, I especially resist any of his remarks that would attempt to lift me up in pride. Lord, may You always receive the glory for those things that You are doing in my life and this ministry. May You be glorified in all that I do. I ask this in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.