THE REASON BELIEVERS ARE SICK

By Joseph Prince – Posted June 20, 2017

1 Corinthians 11:29-30

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

Have you ever wondered why some Christians are weak and sick, and die young? I thank God that the Holy Spirit gives us the reason as well as the solution. In 1 Corinthians 11:29–30, He tells us clearly that the one reason some Christians are weak and sick, and die prematurely, is that they don’t discern the Lord’s body when they partake of the Holy Communion.

Many believers don’t understand that the pierced, striped and slightly burnt bread, which represents the Lord’s body, is for their health and healing. And when they partake without discerning this truth, they partake in an unworthy manner. The reverse is true: If they discern accurately the Lord’s body, then they will be strong and healthy, and live long.

Unfortunately, the church down through the years has misconstrued this teaching and taught that if you have sin in your life, you are unworthy and cannot partake of the Holy Communion, lest you become weak and sick, and even die! We have turned a blessing into a curse. Because of this, many Christians are afraid to come to the Lord’s table and are therefore robbed of the health-giving power of the Holy Communion.

My friend, there is no such thing as a worthy person! The best of us still miss it and fail. So unworthy people are the only people who partake of the Lord’s Supper. But because Jesus died for unworthy people, He has qualified those of us who take Him as our righteousness to partake of every benefit that He died to give us.

So it is not a matter of whether you are worthy or unworthy to partake, but how you partake. Come to the Lord’s table with boldness and partake because Jesus has qualified you with His precious blood. Don’t treat it as a ritual, but release your faith for health and healing as you discern that Jesus’ body was broken so that yours can be healthy and whole today. When you partake like this, you are partaking in a worthy manner, and you will not be weak or sickly, or die prematurely!

Thought For The Day

The pierced, striped and slightly burnt Holy Communion bread, which represents the Lord’s body, is for our health and healing.

God Will Help You

by Joyce Meyer - posted June 20, 2017

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. . . . Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you. Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you," says the Lord and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
—Isaiah 41:10-14 NKJV

When we start reading today's Scripture, we might think, Wow. God must be talking to people who really have their act together, but the good news is that He is talking to ordinary people just like you and me. He helps us because He is good, not because we are. Fear comes against all of us, and God wants us to know that we don't have to let the feelings of fear defeat us. We can keep moving forward in the presence of fear because He is with us. 

If someone has hurt you or treated you unjustly, remember that God promises to deal with them and make them as nothing at all... nonexistent!! When we read that God will strengthen us that means He will enable us to do whatever we need to do today and everyday. God is with you, and that makes you equal to anything that comes against you. Because God is with you, that makes you greater than any problem you have. 

Fear is not God's will for you. He wants you to be bold, courageous, and confident, and you can be if you remind yourself often that you are not alone. God is with you!! 

Love Yourself Today: Remember that God is with you at all times and you can do whatever you need to do.

Speak Favor to Your Mountains

By Joel Osteen – Posted June 20, 2017

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done."
(Matthew 21:21, AMPC)

TODAY'S WORD:

Everyone goes through seasons when the challenges of life feel overwhelming. During these times, it’s easy to be tempted to talk about how bad things are. Maybe you are facing a situation right now that looks impossible. Don’t get discouraged and give up because God wants to do something awesome in your life. Instead of talking to God about how big your problems are, talk to your problems about how big your God is. Be bold and start speaking favor to that situation. Every day say, “Father, thank You that Your favor is turning this around. Thank You that Your favor is making a way even though I don’t see a way. Lord, thank You that Your favor is doing remarkable, astounding, overwhelming things.” When you release your faith like that, you’ll see God show up and do amazing things that you’ve never seen happen before! 

Remember, even if you don’t see how things could ever work out, God does. Just do your part and keep speaking to those mountains in your life. Declare favor over those situations and get ready to move forward in the victory and blessing God has prepared for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which is life to my spirit. I receive Your strength today and choose to speak favor to the mountains. Thank You for preparing a path of victory as I keep my heart and mind stayed on You in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Daily Doxology

By DR. David Jeremiah – Posted June 20, 2017

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13

Recommended Reading: Romans 11:33-36

One of the hardest, but most important, lessons for children and young people to learn is to view hardships in light of their purpose and outcome. Most children don’t like to practice scales on the piano, but they love a superior rating at the recital. Most young athletes don’t relish the hours of grueling practice, but they love the joy of victory and accomplishment.

Granted, the purpose and outcome of every hardship in life is not always evident. But all we need to know is that God is at work in us “to will and to do for His good pleasure.” God has a purpose (Romans 8:28) and His outcome is plainly stated: to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). And for that He is worthy to be praised. It’s why Paul wrote that we should “in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We may not thank God for the pain, but we can certainly worship Him because He is in control of our life—confident that He has a purpose and knows the outcome.

Worship in times of hardship isn’t easy. If you need a guide, use Paul’s words in Romans 11:33-36—a doxology of praise when we don’t have all the answers.

The best rubrics of worship are those which are written on broken hearts. 
Charles H. Spurgeon