September 4

Spiritual Vitamins Day 4 by SGLY Ministry

SPIRITUAL VITAMIN B: BLESS

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (Jesus)
Matthew 5:44 NKJV

“bless those who curse you,…” (Jesus) Luke 6:28 NKJV

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Romans 12:14 NKJV

Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;1 Corinthians 4:12 NKJV

Today’s Thought:
To bless means to pray for, give to and make happy.
Jesus tells us to pray for those who curse us, give them our prayers and ask God to make them happy.
Paul says we should bless those who persecute us.
If we pray for those who curse or persecute us, we are not allowing them to make us negative.

Today’s Action:
Today, with these scriptures in our mind, let’s let God take care of our enemies.
Let’s go out into the world and bless someone, anyone we meet.
Let’s pray for the person at work who curses us or tells untrue stories about us. Let’s ask God to give His mercy to those who might make fun of us, and let’s share the love of Christ whenever we can, even if we might suffer persecution for doing so.
Let’s be a Blessing today !
The Lord will surely reward us and protect us, for as we choose to bless others we shine forth His glory for all to see.

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Think Before You Speak

Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips. - Psalm 141:3

Have you ever said something that hurt someone else…or perhaps caused unfavorable consequences for yourself?

I know I have. For years I just said whatever I felt like saying, but thank God I have learned that words are powerful. What you say has the power to impact your life—and the lives of others—for good or bad. So it is wise to think about what you’re going to say before you say it.

You should speak only words of encouragement that will build people up and make them feel better. You get many opportunities every day to put this into practice, but it requires real discipline and determination.

You may have been hurt by someone’s words…or perhaps you have hurt someone with your words. But you can change that, starting now. It will take prayer and discipline, but God will help you develop and exercise control over the words you speak.

From the book Ending Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer.

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Welcome to Verse of the Day!

Today's Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. (NKJV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: The Snowball Effect of Comforting Others

Discouragement and disappointment are common problems in today's world.

But we have a God who not only comforts the downcast, he sends other believers to comfort them. If you're in need of comfort today, my prayer is that God himself will comfort you, and send others to your side to comfort you as well.

What I'd really like to address, though, is the snowball effect of comforting others. Note that in the above passage, God comforted Paul by sending Titus to him. But it didn't stop there; Paul was comforted even more when he heard about how Titus had been comforted by the church in Corinth.

When we comfort people, we seldom think of how the comfort we give will in turn comfort others. If you take this to the logical conclusion, the "others" who are comforted will, perhaps, comfort more people, who will perhaps comfort more people, and thus, the snowball effect of comforting others continues.

We have no way of really knowing how far our words of encouragement will go, but it is an amazing thing to think about. Taking the time to encourage someone today may have a far-reaching impact, even beyond what we can imagine.

How encouraging is that!

So, comfort someone today. Give a word of encouragement or a smile, or perhaps lend a hand to a friend or stranger in need. You never know who might be comforted and encouraged by your one act of kindness!

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Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound:
they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy
righteousness shall they be exalted."
Psalm 89:15,16

A Reason For Everything

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right
away that they were meant to be there . . .
to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson,
or help figure out who
you are or who you want to become.
You never know who
these people may be, but when you lock eyes with them,
you know that very instant that they will affect your life
in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you,
at which time may seem horrible, painful and unfair,
but in reflection, you realize that without overcoming those obstacles,
you would never realize your potential, strength, will power, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason.
Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck.
Illness, love, lost moments of true greatness,
and sheer stupidity, all occur to test limits of our soul.

Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved,
straight flat road to nowhere safe or comfortable,
but rather dull and utterly pointless.

People you meet affect your life.
The successes and downfalls that you experience
can create whom you are,
and the bad experiences can be learned from.
In fact, they are probably
the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart,
forgive them,
because they have helped you learn about trust
and the importance of being cautious to whom you
open your heart.

If someone loves you,
love them back unconditionally,
not because they love you, but also because they are
teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to
little things.
Make every day count.
Appreciate everything
that you possibly can, for you may never experience it again.

Talk to people and actually listen when they talk to you.
Believe in yourself, as God entrusts care to you,
and go out and live a life which would be pleasing to Him.

Whatever it is you do, don't take your eyes off Jesus,
or all you will see is obstacles before you.
--Jimmy's Safe Harbor

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Bible Verses

Proverbs 24:16 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

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Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Luke 6:22

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Psalm 23:1 – The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

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Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. — Romans 4:7

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Isaiah 48:17 “This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

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Prayers

Prayer for the Morning (written by Metropolitan Philaret)

Lord, give me the strength to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely on Your holy will. Reveal Your will to me every hour of the day. Bless my dealings with all people. Teach me to treat all people who come to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unexpected events, let me not forget that all are sent by you.

Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me the physical strength to bear the labors of this day. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray in me. Amen.

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Prayer for Deliverance

Dear Lord, grant me, I beseech you, your divine helping grace. Endow me with patience and strength to endure my tribulations with complete submission to your will. You know my misery and suffering. I flee to you, my only hope and refuge, for relief and comfort, trusting to your infinite love and compassion; that in due time, you will deliver me from all the trials of this life and turn my distress into comfort. I rejoice in your mercy. I exalt and praise your holy name, oh Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: now and forever. Amen.

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All through this day, O Lord, by the power of your quickening Spirit, let me touch the lives of others for good, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I speak, or the life I live. Amen.

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A Morning Prayer

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come boldly unto the throne of grace, that I may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in my time of need. Father, I thank You for a good night’s rest. I laid down in peace, and slept; You made me dwell in safety. Grant me the grace to walk through this day in true godliness with contentment. I bind mercy and truth around my neck, and write them on the table of my heart, and I will find favor in the sight of God and man. With Your grace I will serve my employer and everything I do today I do in singleness of heart as unto the Lord. Amen.

Scripture Reading Psalm 4:8 Hebrews 4:16 Proverbs 3:3-4 Col. 3:22

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Dear Lord, are You still there? Forgive me for breaking our connection. I've been thinking of what You said yesterday. Forgive me for thinking that I could manage my life without You. ... I've reread Your Word, where You said through Your Son, Jesus: "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, ... for My yoke is easy, and My load is light."* I realize that if I seek to discover Your will for my life, and to be "yoked" to You, that Your yoke will not chafe if I am truly walking closely with You, and in sync with Your will. ... The two of us together, Lord, will be carrying my load! I need never walk alone! ... I took time to count my blessings -- my loving spouse, my children -- all are helping out and encouraging me. We have our health, but most of all, we are growing closer to You. ... In the years ahead, we may even see that what we considered to be a catastrophe may be turned into a blessing as we each grow in our faith. Thank You, Lord, for Your very real presence in our lives.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen.

* (Matt. 11:28-30)

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

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Let’s pause to express thanks for the good things in our lives:
- for people who have given us love and friendship, encouragement and support...
- for our talents and health, and for the opportunities that come to us...
- for the beauty that we see, and the inspiration we receive.

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“A Prayer For Enjoying Work”

Father, our ability to work is a blessing. The drive and dedication to be a good worker, rather than one who does as little as possible to draw a paycheck, is pleasing to You and a testimony to others. We are further motivated because You give us a healthy mind, strong bodies and a desire to provide for our own. In addition we are spurred on to help others who are truly in need and joyfully give of our resources to help provide for them. We pray for those seeking employment but have found one door after another closed. Provide for their needs, open doors for employment and grow them in ways they never imagined during this dry season of their lives. We delight in doing Your will; we joyfully contribute to the needs of others; and we seek to positively influence those around us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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Dear Father, there are not enough words to say how truly grateful I am that you are with me to guide me. Instead of words, just know my heart.

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Let Me See Release From My Addiction by Maureen Pratt
O Lord, with each new day, help me to be strong and continue to trust you. Bring into my eyes and heart an honesty that sees my true situation and finds support in your goodness and guidance. Let me see release from my addiction and a renewed joy in living from this day forward.