September 13

Spiritual Vitamins Day 13

Spiritual Vitamins Day 13 by SGLY Ministry

SPIRITUAL VITAMIN H: HOPE
“hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” Romans 5:5 (NKJV)

Today’s Thought:
We can have hope for the future because of what Christ did for us in the past.

HOPE: HOLDS FAST
Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have,
for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23

HOPE: WAITS PATIENTLY
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us.
They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises.
Romans 15:4

HOPE: BELIEVES
I pray that God, who gives you hope,
will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him.
May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Today’s Action:
We can always have hope because we have the Holy Spirit living in us.
The Spirit gives us power, strength, and wisdom.
He is our Helper and Guide.
He leads us to all truth and that gives us the ability to chose to live in hope and victory every day! Let’s choose live in hope today and share that hope with others!

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The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want

“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

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"I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." (NLT) Matthew 17:20

It can be easy to underestimate the power of faith. However, as Jesus explains, it is very potent and only takes a small amount of faith to accomplish great things. If you feel overwhelmed, have faith that God can and will provide the strength to move mountains. What is faith? Faith is going against all logic to think or act based on a belief.

Daily Bible Devotion

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Be Slow To Speak

For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). —1 Peter 3:10

Have you ever regretted something you said as soon as the words were out of your mouth? You can’t take back the words you speak to others—and words can damage relationships. The Bible says that if you can control your mouth, you can control your whole body (See James 3:2).
Before you respond to people too quickly, stop and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say about your situation. James taught, “Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry” (James 1:19). Commit your mouth to God’s service today, and use words that speak healing to others.

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

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Your shelter in the time of storm

Walk with God.

Let God be your constant Companion, your shelter in the time of storm.

Let Him be your defender and your protector, for in Him you can safely trust.

Let Him guide you through the dangerous pathways of life and heed His warnings of dangers ahead and follow His instructions of how to askew the evil things of life.

Pay heed to His Voice and take His Hand and hold it tightly like a little child holds the hand of a loving parent, for in Him you can safely trust.

Let God watch over you and protect you from all harm, for He is able.

Whatsoever He sayeth unto you to do, do it.

Whatsoever He says to avoid, avoid it.

In Him you can safely trust.
Jim Welch

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Do Yourself a Favor and Forgive

And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you? - Matthew 18:33

In Matthew 18:23–35, Jesus tells a story about one man who refused to forgive another. At the end, He makes the clear and strong point that those who do not forgive others get "turned over to the torturers" (v.34). If you have, or have ever had, a problem forgiving others, I'm sure you can attest to this truth. Harboring hateful thoughts and bitterness toward another person in your mind is indeed torturous.

You may have heard the saying, "Refusing to forgive is like drinking poison and hoping it kills the other person." We are not hurting the one who hurt us by being angry at them. The truth is that most of the time people who offend us don't even know how we feel. They go on with their lives while we drink the poison of bitterness. When you do forgive those who offend you, you are actually helping yourself more than you are helping them, so I say, "Do yourself a favor and forgive!"

We think, But, it is so unfair for me to forgive them and then they just have no punishment for what they did. Why should I have the pain while they get the freedom? The truth is that by forgiving, we are releasing them so God can do what only He can do. If I'm in the way—trying to get revenge or taking care of the situation myself instead of trusting and obeying God—He may sit back and allow me to try to handle things in my own strength. But, if I allow Him to deal with those who offend me by forgiving them, He can work good out of it for both parties concerned.

The book of Hebrews tells us that God settles the cases of His people. When we forgive, we put God on the case (see Hebrews 10:30).

Trust in Him Is there a situation in your life that you are trying to take care of instead of trusting God to work it out? If so, do yourself a favor and forgive so God can settle it.

From the book Trusting God Day by Day by Joyce Meyer

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Pursue the Virtue of Contentment by Max Lucado

A businessman bought popcorn from an old street vendor each day after lunch. He once arrived to find the peddler closing up his stand at noon. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

A smile wrinkled the seller's leathery face. "By no means. All is well."

"Then why are you closing your popcorn stand?"

"So I can go to my house, sit on my porch, and sip tea with my wife."

The man of commerce objected. "But the day is still young. You can still sell."

"No need to," the stand owner replied. "I've made enough money for today."

"Enough? Absurd. You should keep working."

The spry old man stopped and stared at his well-dressed visitor. "And why should I keep working?"

"To sell more popcorn."

"And why sell more popcorn?"

"Because the more popcorn you sell, the more money you make. The more money you make, the richer you are. The richer you are, the more popcorn stands you can buy. The more popcorn stands you buy, the more peddlers sell your product, and the richer you become. And when you have enough, you can stop working, sell your popcorn stands, stay home, and sit on the porch with your wife and drink tea."

The popcorn man smiled. "I can do that today. I guess I have enough."

Wise was the one who wrote, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income" (Eccles. 5:10 NIV).

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Nothing Is Impossible

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

"Nothing will be impossible with God" Luke 1:37

Nothing is impossible with God. NOTHING!

Not even "that thing". Your thing. The one thing that seems to defy all attempts to defeat it, restore it, heal it, change it, overcome it, undo it, or just to get through it.

Our God cares and He is a God who CAN.
So, Believe it.
Experience it.
God is Able.

Priscilla Shirer

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Bible Verses

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

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Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. — 1 Peter 2:16

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Psalm 128:2 2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

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Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

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Prayers

Prayer to Inspire Others

Lord, I ask you to inspire me to encourage others by what I say and do today. God and Father of all people, never let me look down on others or make anyone feel inferior.

Lord, show me how to live today with genuine concern for others. In expressing my care, may I show people that they are valued, loved and appreciated for who they are. Amen.

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Blessing for the Day

Oh God, hold me in the palm of your hand. I pray that you will mold me into what you want me to be. May I joyfully fill the role you have given to me and feel your peace deep in my soul, today and always, Amen.

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Dear Lord, today let me consider Your revelation to Your apostle Paul which is recorded in the twelfth verse of the sixth chapter of his letter to the Ephesian church: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against world forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places." ... Oh Lord, save me from myself! Open my eyes before I become mesmerized by those who would try to lead me astray for their own purposes. ... Help me to realize that Satan often comes disguised as a seducer or temptress, a pretender, a deceiver, or a charming liar. ... Oh Lord, help me to recognize the enemy, lest I be easily taken in. Help me to stand firmly on Your Word and to trust You to put protective angels around me.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen.

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

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Lord, as I offer you all that is ordinary and everyday in my life, I ask you to give me the power of your Spirit that I may do the ordinary things of life in an extraordinary way. Amen.

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“A Prayer Expressing Hope In God”

Father, You are the only source of eternal life to whom I can cling. I am confident that You will be with me to the end of my life here on this earth. I am grateful for the many people who bring me support, encouragement and companionship along the way. They’re a source of great joy as they enrich my life daily. But as I grow older I’m recognizing that nothing stays the same and much of what I came to rely on is no longer available to me. Losses of very dear people are now but a memory. And many things that once captured my attention are but a passing interest as I reflect upon the passing years. I find great comfort as I cling to the words of the 73rd Psalm, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none that I desire on earth beside Thee. My flesh and my heart, they may fail but You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Thank You for being my all in all. Amen.

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For it is by his grace you are saved, through trusting him; it is not your own doing. It is God's gift, not a reward for work done. There is nothing for anyone to boast of. Ephesians 2:8–9, NEB

Lord our God, we know that we are your children, and in this certainty we gather in your presence as a community. Grant us your Spirit, the Spirit who works in us and frees us from the many evils that still torment us. Be with us and let the power of your great grace and mercy be in our hearts so that we may gain the victory and lead joyful lives on earth in spite of our many shortcomings, blunders, and sins. For your grace is great, much greater than all our failings. You are our God and Father, and we want to keep our consciences clear today and always through your grace. Amen.