August 14, 2026

Just For Today Day 21 Putting On by SGLY Ministry

Just for Today I will put on…UNITY
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1 (NKJV)

Today’s Action:
How do believers “dwell together in unity”?

We can “put on” four things daily:

1. Put on Unity of the Mind:
“All of you be of one mind,
having compassion for one another,
love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous,”
1Peter 3:8 (NKJV)

2. Put on Unity of Faith:
“we being many, are one body in Christ,
and individually members of one another.”
Romans 12:5 (NKJV)

3. Put on Unity of Concern:
“there should be no schism( difference of opinion or doctrine)
in the body (of believers),
but that the members should have the same care for one another”
1 Cor. 12:25 (NKJV)

4. Put on Unity of Fellowship:
“Now all who believed were together,
and had all things in common.”
Acts 2:44 (NKJV)

Just for Today let’s put on and wear Unity as we interact with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; Romans 12:10

**********

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

All throughout the Bible we see images of God as our Shepherd. Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” The New Testament describes Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and tells us that He lays down His life for His sheep. Jesus says, in John 10:3, that the sheep hear His voice.

I don’t have sheep, but I have two goats named Vincent and Violet. When I speak to them, they know my voice. If I were a stranger they wouldn’t listen, being very stubborn and ornery goats. But when I call Vincent he comes up to the fence for me to rub his head and scratch him between the horns. Violet eats acorns from my hand.

What a lovely thought that our Good Shepherd speaks to us. Here are just a few of the things He says in His Word: “Look to Me . . . I provide all of your needs. Cast your cares on me . . . for I care deeply for you. Rest in me . . . for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I will do the work for you. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will guide you . . . follow me. I am always with you, I will never leave you. I will comfort you. My grace is sufficient. Don’t be afraid, I will protect you. I go before you and I will bless you. You are precious and honored in my sight and I love you. . . .”

Faith Step: All that He is, He is for you. All that He speaks, He speaks to you. Do you hear your Shepherd’s voice?

—Gwen Ford Faulkenberry

**********

To-Do List This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.—John 15:12-13

I like to make “to-do lists.” Pick up groceries, drop off dry cleaning, buy gift for Sue, etc. When things get busy, it helps to have a list I can refer to that reminds me all I need to get done. All “to-dos” are compiled on a sticky note or pad of paper so I can (with great satisfaction) check each item off as I complete it.

Throughout the Bible, there are a variety of “to-dos” for Christians concerning how we are called to treat each other. They are referred to as the “one anothers.” Here are a few of them:

Romans 12:16 - Live in harmony with one another.
Romans 15:7 - Accept one another.
1 Corinthians 12:25 - Care for one another.
Galatians 5:13 - Serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:15 - Don’t spitefully hurt one another.
Galatians 5:26 - Don’t provoke or envy one another.
Galatians 6:2 - Carry one another’s burdens.
Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another.
Ephesians 4:32 - Forgive one another.
Colossians 3:9 - Don’t lie to one another.
1 Thessalonians - 4:18 Comfort one another.
Titus 3:3 - Don’t hate one another.
Hebrews 3:13 - Encourage one another.
James 5:9 - Don’t bear grudges against one another.
James 5:16 - Pray for one another.

When the day gets busy and time gets short, I must admit, these things tend to get put on the very bottom of my priorities. I tend to focus on myself and how others should be treating me, not on how I am treating and reaching out to others. However, as Christians, the “one anothers” list is one of the most important “to-do” lists to have on hand. All of these are ways we show each other love and respect. It is how God has called us to treat one another.

**********

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…. — Proverbs 23:7 (AMPC)

Train Yourself by Joyce Meyer

I encourage you to practice being a positive person. It's just a matter of breaking one bad habit and forming a new one. I was so negative at one time in my life that if I even tried to think two positive thoughts in a row my brain got into a cramp. But now I am very positive and actually don't enjoy being with people who are negative.

Discipline is required any time you are forming a new habit. You might consider putting some reminders around your house or in your car, like little signs that say, "Be positive." Ask a good friend or spouse to remind you if they hear you slipping into negativism.

Practice trusting yourself rather than doubting yourself. If you are applying for a promotion at work, don't think to yourself or say, "I probably won't get it." Pray and ask God to give you favor with your employer and then say, "I believe I will get the job!" And if you try and the outcome isn't what you were hoping for, then tell yourself, "If the job was right for me, God would have given it to me, and since He didn't, He must have something even better in mind for me." You can train yourself to be positive in what appears to be a negative situation.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, show me where I am stuck in negativity and need to break through to trusting You. Help me to have the right thoughts and attitudes that move me forward, amen.

**********

Be a Hope Giver

Today’s Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
TODAY’S JOEL OSTEEN DAILY WORD 13 AUGUST 2023

There will be times when the people God brings into your life need a friend with faith. God is counting on you to lift the fallen, to encourage the discouraged, to speak healing to the sick, freedom to the addicted, and comfort to the brokenhearted. Your faith can be what keeps them moving forward. Be known as the friend who takes time to care, who prays when others are too weak to pray, who encourages them when they feel like it is over. With all the uncertainty and divisiveness in the world, so many feel overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, and like they don’t have the strength to go on. They just need someone to believe for them while they’re in the challenge, someone to speak life while they’re fighting the illness, someone to declare freedom when the addiction seems so strong. Be a hope giver, a dream releaser, a voice of victory. You have something more valuable than money, more powerful than drugs, more satisfying than fame. Your faith can bring people healing, wholeness, fulfillment, freedom, and victory.
Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for the people You have brought into my life so I can be a friend and a source of comfort. Thank You that I can cover them in prayer and speak words of faith over them. Help me to be a hope giver and a voice of victory, full of grace and mercy to lift the fallen. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

**********

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…. — Proverbs 23:7 (AMP)

The Right Kind of Thoughts by Joyce Meyer

The thoughts we allow ourselves to dwell on will set the direction for our lives. This is why I often say, Where the mind goes, the man follows.

If we have a negative mind, we will have a negative life. On the other hand, if we renew our mind according to God’s Word, we will experience the “good and acceptable and perfect” will of God for our lives (see Romans 12:2).

Our struggles and our triumphs are rooted in thinking patterns. Negative thoughts produce discouragement, doubt, and fear, but we don’t have to live captive to those thoughts. We can choose to line our thoughts up with the Word of God.

The mind is a battlefield. Ask God to give you the strength to help you start winning the battle today. Decide to resist negative thinking and dwell on positive, faith-filled, godly thoughts for your life instead.

Prayer Starter: Lord, please give me strength to help me start winning the battle in my mind and change my wrong mindsets into right ones. In Your name, Jesus, I will begin resisting negative thoughts and think on positive, faith-filled thoughts instead, amen.

******************************

Bible Verses

MATTHEW 6:19-20 NLT 19 "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

*****

“I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

*****

Romans 8:28 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.

*****

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

*****

2 Timothy 1:7 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

*****

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? James 3:10-11

*****

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.

*****

Isaiah 33:2 2 LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

*****

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

*****

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

******************************

Prayers

Prayer for the Work of This Day

Almighty God, thank you for the work my hand may find this day. May I find gladness in all its toil and difficulty, its pleasure and success, and even in its failure and sorrow. I would look always away from myself, and behold the glory and the need of the world, that I may have the will and the strength to bring the gift of gladness to others; that with them I stand to bear the burden and heat of the day and offer you my work, as well as I may accomplish it, as praise. Amen.

*****

Prayer of Trust When We Feel Lost

Lord God, sometimes I feel like a lost child, alone in the woods or on a strange street. I cannot see the road ahead of me. I fear what lies in the shadows.

I have no idea where I am going. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself. And even though I am trying to follow your will, sometimes I can't be sure whether I am or not. Sometimes, I think, I am fooling myself. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and that you will direct me, even if sometimes I get it wrong.

I hope and pray that I will at least not do anything today that I am certain will displease you, and I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always. Though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my troubles alone. Amen.

*****

Now, oh Lord, I pray that you may lift up the light of your countenance upon me, and give me peace; in my going out and in my coming in; in my sitting down and my rising up; in my work and in my play; in my joy and in my sorrow, in my laughter and in my tears; until that day comes which is without dawn and without dark. Amen.

*****

Putting on the Armor of God

In the name of Jesus, I put on the whole armor of God that I may be able to stand against the wiles (strategies) of the devil. My struggle is not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. I love and esteem people, while hating evil. In the name of Jesus, I enforce his triumphant victory against evil spirits! Jesus is Lord! Amen

Scripture Reading Ephesians 6:11-14

*****

Dear heavenly Father, You created me to have fellowship with You. Let me come before You with rejoicing -- not complaining, not questioning, not asking, not beseeching, but realizing fully the privilege that is mine in being able to honor You with praise and thanksgiving. Help me to seek You for who You are, rather than for just what You can do for me.

In the name of our Lord Jesus I pray.

Amen.

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

*****

Lord Jesus, you said that no-one could have greater love than to give up their life for someone else. Remind us in our personal circumstances today that care and compassion and love and sacrifice can change everything. Amen.

*****

Setting a Good Example

1 Timothy 4:11-16

Dear Father,

May we never lessen our commitment to you because someone criticizes us. Instead, let us set an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Encourage us to busy ourselves with the reading of Scripture, with preaching and teaching. Help us not to neglect whatever gifts we have from you. Help us use every resource you have given us to serve fruitfully in your kingdom, that we may be saved and that others may come to a saving relationship with your Son Jesus Christ.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

*****

“A Prayer For Resourcefulness”

Father, we marvel at the miracles Jesus performed, as recorded in the New Testament. Taking a young boy’s small lunch and feeding 5,000 men along with their wives and families can only result from Your supernatural work. And then to have leftovers from such a setting is even more amazing. Just as the disciples and the crowd learned so much about Jesus through His feeding of the crowd, we too learn that nothing is impossible with You. We also learn from this story that You are a resourceful God when Jesus instructed that the leftovers be collected “so that nothing is wasted”. Help us to be good stewards of all that You provide for us showing us how to be creative and generous toward others as well. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

*****

If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18, NIV

Lord our God, grant that we may heed your commandments, that our peace may be like a river and our righteousness like the waves of the sea. Be with us through your Spirit, we pray. Speak with us and tell us what we need to hear so that we can understand what draws us always nearer to you. Show the might of your hand to help us and all men. Even under judgment we shall not despair, we shall not lose courage because of troubles and distress. Come with your strength, that we may grow strong to overcome the world through Jesus Christ the Savior. Amen.

*****

Dear Father, please grant me the wisdom to see that to dream is to hope and to hope is to live. With You all things are possible.

*****

“A Prayer For God’s Strength”

Father, we’re strengthened physically, emotionally and spiritually knowing that we can do all things through Christ who provides us with His strength. In ourselves we are weak and often distressed by the daunting trials of life. When they become our singular focus we are easily overtaken by doubt and helplessness. But when our primary focus is on worshiping the Lord Jesus who is our Provider, our Strength, our Sustainer, our Hope and our Soon Coming King our mourning turns into joy, our weakness into strength, and our hope is once again renewed. Thank You for making that possible. Amen.