October 13

Standing Firm - Peace Day Thirteen by SGLY Ministry

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15 KJV.

We who have believed and received Christ as our Savior now have the peace of Christ that passes all understanding, and we need to always be ready to share the good news of that peace and how we received it. Jesus Himself said “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.

Therefore, as we put on God’s Armor daily let’s remember that we are wearing the Shoes of Peace for a reason and we need to be ready to go out and share the gospel of peace with all those we meet.

Prayer: Dear God, I really want to preach the gospel of peace to all those I meet, please give me the courage I need and the opportunity to do so. I want my feet to bring glad tidings of good things to those in the world who might be lost or perhaps those who have gone astray. Thank You for providing the Shoes of Peace that will provide a firm foundation for me to stand upon the truth of Your word, so that I can confidently share it with those I meet. Amen.

Today: Prepare yourself to share the gospel by writing down some verses to carry with you. Memorize them if you can so you can easily share them. Also, be prepared to share your personal testimony with others. Pray asking God to lead you to people who are ready to hear the good news. Share with them as the Holy Spirit leads you.

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Don’t Forget a Single Blessing by Max Lucado

Some years back as I was driving my daughter Andrea to middle school, she noticed I was anxious.

“Why are you so quiet, Dad?” I told her I was worried about a book deadline.
She asked me, “Haven’t you written other books?” “Yes,” I replied.
“How many?” At that point the answer was fifteen.

She responded, “have you ever missed a deadline before?” “No,” I said.
“So God helped you fifteen times already?” “Yes,” I winced. She was sounding like her mother.
She reasoned further, “if he has helped you fifteen different times, don’t you think he will help you this time?”

Satan has no recourse to your testimony! Your best weapon against his attacks is a good memory. Don’t forget a single blessing! 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “You have been bought with a price. You belong to God.” God’s message for you? Remember whose you are. Live out your inheritance!

From Glory Days

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The 7 Ups Author Unknown

1. Wake Up !!
Decide to have a good day.
"This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!
. for what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!
. to the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!
. for something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!
. your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."Philippians 4:6

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Resist the Devil at His Onset

Pray that you may not [at all] enter into temptation. —Luke 22:40

The temptation to quit is part of being human, but we must resist that temptation and never give up. It is important that we recognize the lies of Satan, and that we resist him at the onset of his attack. Temptation is one of the realities of the Christian life and a hindrance to success we must work to overcome. Jesus said, “Temptation must come,” so be on your guard against it.

There are many types of temptation, so we don’t always recognize discouragement and thoughts of giving up as being a temptation from the devil. Some thoughts the enemy may plant in your mind to tempt you to give up might sound like this:

This is too difficult.
I really am not qualified to do this.
I am facing too many problems and can’t possibly solve them all.
I have no one to help me.
My friends and family think I’m crazy for pursuing this.
I don’t have the money to do this.
This is taking too long.

I encourage you to begin to recognize temptations as works of the enemy; and I want you to start resisting each temptation with everything in you. Don’t consider any temptation insignificant. Don’t let the devil lure you into passivity or wait until you’ve been in a depressed, hopeless slump for three days, listening to the enemy list reasons to abandon your cause. Resist the devil at his onset! Declare war against all forms of temptation. Show the enemy no mercy.

Trust in Him: The instant you feel tempted to give up, you need to say aloud, “I will not quit. I refuse to give up. I trust God and I will finish what He has called me to do.”

From the book Trusting God Day by Day by Joyce Meyer

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You Are Forgiven

Thought for the Day

"In the times when you have trouble forgiving yourself, know that God's love and forgiveness has already been made available to you."
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Today's Word

"Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1 NIV)
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Today's Prayer

Lord, I am very hard on myself. I make mistakes and sometimes beat myself up over them. Let me learn that I am human and will make mistakes. Let me know that if I am truly remorseful that I can rely on your forgiveness and free myself from the burden of guilt I may carry. Let me also learn from my mistakes and try not to repeat them. Amen

The Whisper Of God

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Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. (NLT) - Proverbs 21:23

Sometimes emotions can get the best of us and cause us to say words we don't truly mean. Or we are charged with emotions and choose words with different implications than we intended. When you get in this state do your best to stabilize and then try to communicate emotions when you can better watch your tongue.

Daily Bible Devotion

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Bible Verses

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

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John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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Luke 6:35-36 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

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“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11

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Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

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Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. — Matthew 5:37

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1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

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Prayers

Lord Jesus, I trusted you to save me, and now I will trust you when problems arise, remembering that I am in vital union with you. My decisions shall be based on whatever seems best, for you will guide me. In your unfailing love you will lead me because you have redeemed me. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.

Colossians 2:6 1 Samuel 10:7 Exodus 15:13

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Dead in Sins

Ephesians 2:1-3

Dear Father, King of the Ages,

Thank you for the new life you have infused into my being. I once was dead because of the misdeeds and sins in which I walked, following the course of this world, following the commander-in-chief of evil, the spirit that now energizes all who disobey.

Among these lost people - and as a lost person - I once lived in the passions of my flesh. I followed the desires of my body and the passing whims of my mind. I was by nature a doer of evil doomed to destruction, like the rest of mankind.

But you were rich in mercy! Because of your great love with which you loved me - even when I was dead through my misdeeds - you made me alive together with Christ! It is by your undeserved kindness that I am saved!

In the name of Jesus and by his authority I boldly ask you to make of us the completely holy people that you intend as your inheritance. Amen.

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And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir. Galatians 4:6–7, RSV

Dear Father in heaven, we come before you as your children, longing to be assured through your Spirit that we are and may remain your children. We long to live to the glory of your name under the shelter and guidance of the Lord Jesus in expectation of the great day which shall fulfill all promises made to us men. Strengthen us, especially in dark and troubled days. Help us when danger threatens and when evil tries to make headway among us. Deliver us from all evil, for yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Dear heavenly Father, thank you for Your words of wisdom in the Bible. I do want to adhere to them and avoid doing foolish things. Forgive me for the foolish things I have done in the past. Give me discernment to recognize the voice of fools, so that I am not taken in by their deceptive talk. I want to hear the truth, even if it is painful, because the truth of God's Word is what sets us free. Give me ears to hear what the Spirit of God is saying, and then give me the grace to obey His Words. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.