The Help of the Holy Spirit

By Joyce Meyer - Posted May 04, 2017

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 
—Romans 8:5 KJV

Romans 8:5 teaches us that if we “mind” the flesh, we will walk in the flesh. But if we “mind” the things of the Spirit, we will walk in the Spirit. Our actions follow our thoughts! 

Let me put it another way: If we think fleshly thoughts, wrong thoughts, and negative thoughts, we cannot walk in the Spirit. It seems as if renewed, godlike thinking is a vital necessity to a successful Christian life. 

Your life may be in a state of chaos because of years of wrong thinking. If so, it is important for you to come to grips with the fact that your life will not get straightened out until your mind does. You should consider this area one of vital necessity. 

Ask God to help you learn to think thoughts that He would have you think. You cannot overcome any problem by determination alone. It is important to be determined, but determined in the Holy Spirit, not in the effort of your own flesh. The Holy Spirit is close to you. He is your Helper—seek His help. Lean on Him. You can make it with His help. 

Give the Holy Spirit control of your life. He will lead you into the perfect will of God for you, which includes exceeding, abundant blessings, peace, and joy.

 He is a Rewarder

By Joel Osteen – Posted May 4, 2017

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
(Hebrews 11:6, NIV) 

TODAY'S WORD:

Do you see God as a rewarder today? Notice this verse doesn’t say that God rewards those who “deserve” it or have “earned” it. It doesn’t say that God rewards those who act perfectly and never make mistakes. No, God’s blessing isn’t based on our performance, it’s based on our faith—our belief in Him and His goodness. In fact, one verse says that He longs to be good to those who are looking for His goodness! 

I encourage you today to spend some time meditating on His goodness and dwelling on His faithfulness. Look for Him and expect Him to act. Spend some time reading the Psalms and begin to praise and thank Him for all He is doing. Open your eyes of faith and see all of the wonderful things He has prepared for you. Let His Word shape your thoughts, and remember He is a rewarder! He wants to bless you today because you earnestly seek after Him!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, thank You for Your Word which fills my heart and mind with faith. I believe that You are good and that You are a rewarder. I choose to put my trust in You knowing that You have blessings in store for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 NO MORE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

By Joseph Prince – Posted May 04, 2017

Psalm 127:2

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

Are you one of those who have trouble sleeping at night? Perhaps just this morning you said, “I was up the whole night—my boy was running a high fever,” or “I slept for only two hours—I was awake polishing up my presentation,” or “I couldn’t sleep at all—I was worried about the bills that are piling up.”

God “gives His beloved sleep”. Who are His beloved? You and I! Because we are in Christ, we are His beloved. (Ephesians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

God says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows…” In other words, it is pointless to worry and lose sleep because the truth is, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

So let God be the one who builds your career and watches over your financial investments. Let Him be the one who guards your health, marriage and children. Don’t worry and stay up late as if you are the source of the increase, or the one who has the power to make things happen and save the situation. No, God is the one and He says to you, “My beloved child, throw that care to Me and go to sleep.” And while you are sleeping, He is working on your situation. He, who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:3–4), works the night shift for you as you sleep!

But because we are such doers and performers, it is hard for us to let go and let God take over. But when we actually do, casting all our cares, anxieties and worries once and for all into His hands, we will see how He cares for us affectionately and watchfully. (1 Peter 5:7) We will see Him taking care of our problems and working things out for good. (Romans 8:28)

Beloved, trust your Father’s love for you. Cast your cares on Him and have no more sleepless nights

Thought For The Day

Cast all your cares and worries into God’s hands, and see how He cares for you affectionately and watchfully.

Children of the Father

By DR. David Jeremiah – Posted May 4, 2017

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. … You do the deeds of your father.”
John 8:39b, 41

Recommended Reading: Galatians 5:22-23

The phrase “chip of the same block” dates back at least to a 1621 sermon: “Am not I a child of the same Adam . . . a chip of the same block, with him?” (English bishop Robert Sanderson’s Sermons) Later, it became “chip off the old block,” referring to a parent (the block) and a child (the chip). We all know what it means: Children are often much like their parents.

Jesus affirmed this point when talking with religious leaders who were proud of their Abrahamic lineage but were also seeking to kill Him. Because of that disconnect, Jesus said they were not children of Abraham but were children of the devil (John 8:34-47). Jesus said He did what He learned from His Father and they did what they had learned from theirs (verse 38). That is a strong indictment, but full of theology. The whole purpose of the new birth (John 3:3) is to be transferred from one family to another (from Satan’s family to God’s—Colossians 1:13).

Ask the Father to reveal the family likeness in you by the fruit of the Spirit in your life (Galatians 5:22-23).

Behold, what wondrous grace the Father hath bestowed on sinners of a mortal race, to call them sons of God. 
Isaac Watts