July 18, 2026

Just For Today Day 18 Putting Off by SGLY Ministry

Just for Today I will put off all…
SELFISH AMBITIONS
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)

Today’s Thought:
Selfish Ambitions should not be found in the life of a believer.

As followers of Christ we should not be self-seeking nor always looking out for our own interests but we should be seeking God’s will for our lives.
Scripture tells us that we should not be self willed, self seeking, self indulgent, self sufficient, nor self confident, but we should seek to reflect God’s image and imitate Christ in all we do.

Our confidence should be in Him and His word.

So, lets take a personal inventory of our lives to see if any selfish ambitions are found and if so, lets determine ,Just for Today, to put them all off so we can live in His blessings doing the work He has prepared for us to do.

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord, Just for Today, help me to put off all Selfishness in my life.
I do not want any selfish ambition ruling my life, "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” James 3:16 NKJV
I only want Your will to be my daily focus.
I do not want to be self willed, nor self seeking.
I don’t want self indulgence nor self sufficiency to be a part of my life and if I have confidence, may it only be in You and Your word, not in my own self.

Thank You Lord. I know You will help me to put off my old self so I can focus on the new life I have in You!

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Talk Yourself into a Good Mood

A good man eats good from the fruit of his mouth. —Proverbs 13:2

We talk a lot, and quite often pay no attention to what we are saying, let alone think seriously about the impact of our words. But if we are honest with ourselves, we may find some of our moods— good and bad—are directly linked to our conversations.

Anytime you become aware of your mood, whether you are feeling a bit gloomy or feeling cheerful and blessed, you should ask yourself: What have I been talking about? Soon you will begin to see how your words connect to your moods and attitudes.

Why not decide each day before you even get out of bed to ask God to help you talk about only things that benefit you and everyone who hears you? Since we have the power to make our days better, we would be foolish indeed if we didn’t do it.

Power Thought: By God’s grace, I think and speak positive words, reaping the benefits in my moods and attitudes.

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

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God's Word For Today

The Truest Friend

Read Proverbs 17:1 through 20:30

The number of friends people have seems to shrink as they grow older. In childhood, people think everyone is their friend. Parents have to teach their children not to trust strangers. In the teenage years these numbers start to level off, especially in junior high and high school. There young people learn that some “friends” aren’t friends at all. That’s usually when people settle into having a small group of close friends. With the coming of college and adulthood, these groups often disperse and friends lose touch with each other and new groups form.

Sometimes running with the “wrong crowd” of friends can get us in to big trouble. Ultimately, we learn that most people will let us down—but not all.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Through all stages of life, Jesus is there as a constant friend. He will walk with us through the valleys of sadness and the mountaintops of joy. He will never leave us or forsake us.

Challenge for Today: Stick as close to Jesus as He does to you.

Quicklook: Proverbs 18:19–24

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Stay Stable by Joyce Meyer

James 1:12 (AMPC) says, Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.

I want to encourage you: Don't get upset if somebody gives you a hard time today. Don't lash out if you don't get your way, or if somebody says or does something you don't like. God has given you exactly what you need to stay calm, and He wants to help you (see Philippians 2:13; 4:13). If you’re being set up to get upset, stay stable — it’s only a test.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me stay stable when I’m in frustrating situations. Thank You for giving me the grace and strength I need to be calm under pressure. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Bible Verses

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25)

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Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

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1 John 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

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This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. — 1 John 3:11

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Prayers

Prayer To Do God's Will Today

Thy will be done. Dear God, I am full of the sound of my own voice, that lump of pride deep within me that will not go away, no matter how I try. Give me the strength through the power of your Holy Spirit to hear your voice and follow it, fighting the temptation to sin that bubbles up inside me whenever my mind strays from you.

Thy will be done. Thy will be done. Thy will be done.

You have commanded us to love one another, this I know without doubt. And yet all day I am filled with judgments, with resentments, with anger that sneaks in and grabs me when I am not paying attention to you. I pray dear God, that you will soften my heart to my fellow humans, no matter how sinfully they may act, and leave the judging to you, as you have commanded. Fill me with acceptance in place of judgment, sympathy in place of anger, faith in place of resentment. For my judgments and anger are the creatures of pride.

May I do thy will this day, in the name of Christ I pray. Amen.

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Now, to God the Father, who first loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved; to God the Son, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood; to God the Holy Ghost, who sheddeth the love of God abroad in our hearts, be all love and all glory in time and to all eternity. Amen. ~ by John Wesley (1760)

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The Rock of our Salvation

You are my Father, my God, and my Rock of Salvation. Thank You for giving me an obedient heart so that I can wisely obey Your Word. I am building my house upon the rock. When the rains, floods and winds of life oppose me, they will not prevail for I refuse to move off of Your Word, Lord. My house shall stand because I hear Your Word and I am a doer of the Word in the name of Jesus. Amen

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Dear Lord, help me to put my own problems in the proper perspective, trusting Your plan for my life. Let me see that the "daily-ness" of my living is a part of the fabric of my eternity. ... Especially in the midst of my despair, let my inner peace and joy be the sign of Your loving Presence in my life. Thank You, Lord.

In Your holy name I pray.

Amen.

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

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Lord Jesus, bring your love to our lives in a new way today so that any fear that we might have is driven away, knowing that “perfect love casts out fear”. Then your light will shine more brightly in us, and others will be able to see the good things that are done in your name. Help us to grow more aware of the love and respect and dignity that you give us in calling us your friends”. We ask that your Spirit acts in us so that we discover and take pride in who we really are. Make us credible witnesses of your love so that others may more readily share in your love and your light, you who are the light of the world. Amen.

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Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for always being there for me. Lord, I do want to keep my heart right before You, and before those people whom You have placed in my life. Please forgive me when I fail to do the right thing. Strengthen me to be kind and good toward others, especially my own family. Help me to overcome the fear of what men think, and to be more concerned about what You think. I know that You look at my heart and see things that are not pleasing to You. I give You the right to deal with those things and remove them from my life. Help me to be meek and lowly like You are, and not to allow pride to keep me from communicating with those whom I would rather not have to deal with. Fill me with Your love and wisdom in all my relationships. I humbly ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Lord our God, we thank you for being among us as our Father, for letting us be your children on earth. We thank you that as your children we can find life in spirit and in truth. Grant that each of us may find how our lives on earth can be lifted up by your Spirit. Your Spirit can bring us what we men do not possess, so that our daily work, all our striving and struggling for the outward things of life, may be pervaded by what is higher and greater. Your Spirit can keep us from falling into base and petty ways, from getting lost in earthly experiences which do not last, no matter how much they demand our attention. We thank you for all you have done for your children. Continue to help us, that we may serve you every day in gladness and gratitude. Amen.

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Workplace Prayer

My Heavenly father, as I enter this workplace I bring your presence with me. I speak your peace, your grace, your mercy, and your perfect order in this office. I acknowledge your power over all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these walls.

Lord, I thank you for the gifts you have blessed me with. I commit to using them responsibly in your honor. Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job. Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring you glory.

Lord, when I am confused guide me. When I am burned out infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit. May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy, and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.