October 19

Standing Firm - Shield of Faith Day 19 by SGLY Ministry

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV.

In Roman times, the flaming arrows would be dipped in pitch or tar and then set afire. The Roman soldier’s wet leather coated shield extinguished the fire as soon as the arrows hit. This is why we need a Shield of Faith. We need to protect ourselves from the enemy’s fiery darts of doubt and fear, which he tries to shoot at us daily.

We need to hold up that Shield of Faith which is a true deep-seated trust and confidence in God and His word. We need to believe beyond doubt that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. We need to not let fear overcome us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to be consistent in standing firm and holding up the Shield of Faith. Help me to be strong, be brave and watchful always. I do believe in You and Your word. I do trust You and have confidence that You will do as You say. Strengthen me so that I will always remember to wear Your Armor daily, holding up the Shield of Faith against the enemy’s flaming arrows, and never allowing doubt or fear to overcome me.

Today: Hold up the Shield of Faith and speak this verse out loud.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

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Be Slow To Speak

JAMES 1:19 NIV 19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, How many times have you said something and later regretted it?

Too often we practice: Speak now and think later.

What would happen if you silently consulted with God before speaking? If you thought about, and prayed about, everything you said -- before you said it -- your life would be different.

1 PETER 3:10 LB 10 If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies.

Words are powerful and should be used to accomplish a purpose. Don't just talk for no reason.

PROVERBS 17:28 NIV 28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Remember, you can always learn more by listening than you can by talking.

Be slow to speak!

SAY THIS: God, please help me to control my tongue.

A Bible Devotion

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Forgiveness Wins

For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. —Matthew 6:14

Unforgiveness will ruin your day. If someone hurts you, pray quickly, “God, I forgive them in Jesus’ name.” If your emotions feel strained when you see that person, stand firm in your decision to forgive them.

Pray for them, asking God to show you how to bless them. Do whatever God leads you to do for them, and let God’s love work through you to heal the rift between you. If you do your part, God will bring your feelings in line with your decision, and you will enjoy your day and your life.

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

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Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. (NLT) Psalm 4:4

Your face gets flushed, your blood begins to get hot, and your head begins to throb. These are physical signs that anger is beginning to control you in the moment. When our anger gets out of control there is never a good result. In such situations, the smartest thing is to remain silent and take some time to think overnight. In the morning, after time has passed, it's easier to respond with a calmer stance.

Daily Bible Devotion

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He Helps Shoulder Burdens

Thought for the Day

"We are all afflicted with something: sickness, debt, job issues, family or relationship problems... and sometimes we feel so alone in our struggles. Although answers, solutions, and cures may not come overnight, know that God stands with you and waits for you to turn your cares over to Him so He may help shoulder your burden."
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Today's Word

"But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless." (Psalm 10:14 NIV)
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Today's Prayer

Lord, thank you for helping me carry the weights that life seems to burden me with. Without you, those weights might be unbearable and could keep me down all of the time. Amen

The Whisper Of God

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Good Enough by Joyce Meyer

Key Verse: So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. — James 4:7

MESSAGE: For many of us, our biggest problem is that we don’t like ourselves, and our distorted outlook makes it difficult for us to believe that God could possibly love us.

For years I struggled with this problem. I spent at least 75 percent of my time trying to change myself, but all I really did was stress myself out while the devil constantly made me feel guilty. I never felt good enough.

Isaiah 53 tells us that when Jesus died for our sins, He also bore the guilt. He loved us so much that He paid the price so we wouldn’t have to suffer with the terrible feelings of condemnation. If we go to God and sincerely ask Him to forgive us, He does, so there is no reason to live with condemnation.

God loves you, and He wants you to believe it and receive it all the time. He also wants you to be free from guilt and condemnation. God says you are good enough. Accept that today and live a life of victory.

PRAYER: God, Your Son has taken my guilt and punishment and in Christ, I am good enough. I believe that today, and I refuse to live with the burden of guilt and condemnation. I ask for and receive Your forgiveness for my sins.

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Bible Verses

Hebrews 13:5-6 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

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He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Luke 10:27

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Psalm 9:9 – The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

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Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. — Psalm 33:12

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John 15:12 "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

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Psalm 42:11 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

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Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

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Prayers

Prayer of Thanks for This Life

O God in heaven, I was born a weak, defenseless child, but your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now your love has illumined my path and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity; from birth until now the generous gifts of your providence have been marvelously showered upon me. I give you thanks for every step of my life's journey, together with all who have come to know you, who call upon your name. All glory be to you, O God, from age to age, Amen.

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Dear Lord, there are days when I am busy with living, snatching little time to praise You and to count my blessings, as I am caught up in my world. ... Help me even then to pause and realize that this same day may be dark and tragic for someone else. Let me stop and pray that I may be an instrument of Your healing, always mindful of my brother's needs.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen.

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

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Heavenly Father, thou hast made sympathy divine. May I never make it commonplace. Grant that as thou dost bless and comfort me I may be willing to comfort others, and do whatsoever thou wouldst have me do. Amen.

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Wisdom Made Known

Ephesians 3:9-12

Dear Father, who gives wisdom so generously,

How thankful I am that the congregation of your people has become the channel through which your multi-faceted and many-splendored wisdom will be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. It thrills me to know that it was your purpose eternally to realize this in Christ Jesus my Lord.

Thank you that through him we have confident and bold access to you.

Help me, help all of your people, not to lose heart over what we suffer and what our leaders suffer for us. Help us to see this as our glory!

In the name of Jesus I give you thanks and make these requests. Amen.

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“A Prayer For Resisting The Devil”

Father, as we live in the Light of Your Word the devil’s venomous plots are exposed. We are not caught by surprise but rather we are filled with Your Spirit which prepares us to be on the offense rather than defense. We walk in truth and confidence as we stand strong on the day of evil. As we wear the full armor You have provided for our protection we can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. Our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of this world’s darkness and the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. So we pray in the spirit continuously asking for Your help, strength, and guidance. We also pray for our brothers and sisters that together we will stand firm against the enemy of our souls. Amen.