FLOW WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY

By Joseph Prince – Posted July 21, 2017

Romans 14:17

…the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and joy in the Holy Spirit.

If we are supposed to seek first the kingdom of God every day (Matthew 6:33), then we should know what the kingdom of God is in the first place. I used to think that the kingdom of God was the mission fields and that to seek it meant doing missionary work.

Then, I realized that the kingdom of God was not something outside you flowing in—“the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking”, but something inside you flowing out—“righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”.

So to seek first God’s kingdom means to make it a priority every day to have your inner man flowing with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Righteousness is not your own righteousness based on what you do. It is not good works. It is a gift from Jesus who is your righteousness. (Romans 5:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30) God wants you to be established in the truth that you are the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“Peace be with you” were the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples when He appeared before them after His resurrection. He also showed them His pierced hands and side. (John 20:19–20) God wants you to know that His Son’s finished work has given you peace. Your conscience can be at rest because your sin debt has been settled. You have peace with God and the peace of God.

Joy will come into your heart when you see Jesus in the scriptures, worship songs or anointed preaching. It is the same joy from the Holy Spirit which filled the disciples’ hearts when they saw Jesus, His hands and His side. (John 20:20)

So every day, make it a priority to see yourself righteous in Christ. Don’t be conscious of your sins. Instead, be conscious of your righteousness. And whether you are reading your Bible or listening to anointed preaching, see Jesus with His pierced hands and side, which speak of His finished work. See all your sins forgiven, and you will flow with peace and joy. When you do this, you are seeking the kingdom of God!

Thought For The Day

To seek God’s kingdom is to have your inner man flowing with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Give It Up!

By Joyce Meyer - Posted July 21, 2017

Unto You, O Lord, do I bring my life.
— Psalm 25:1

This is a very short but powerful verse. In fact it gives you the answer for your whole life: give it to the Lord.

This doesn’t mean you should bring Him just your worries and problems. It means bringing Him your entire existence and everything it entails. Grasping that truth will set you free from weariness and a feeling of wanting to give up.

I used to get worn out preparing for my meetings. I would get so intense about it and work so hard at making sure everything was right that I worked myself into exhaustion. Then I learned that all I have to do is give Him my life and everything in it. As we yield to Him, His peace fills us. 

As you pray tonight, give your entire life to God and experience the freedom of knowing that whatever you face—good or bad—He has it under control.

Refuse to Worry

By Joel Osteen – Posted July 21, 2017

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"
(Matthew 6:27, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD:

Is there something that you are worrying about today? To worry means to allow something to revolve in your mind over and over again. God doesn’t want you to live worried or anxious about anything. He knows that worry steals your peace and joy. It affects every area of your life. Have you heard the saying “don’t worry yourself sick”? That’s because worrying affects your physical body. It affects your sleep. You won’t ever gain anything by worrying; in fact, you’ll lose precious moments that you can never get back again. The good news is that God has promised that you can have victory over worry. It starts by making the choice to trust in Him. When you cast your cares on Him, He will give you His peace. 

Decide today to put an end to worry in your life. Choose to feed your faith and fill your mind with God’s promises. As you focus on God’s Word, you’ll drive out worry and fill your heart with faith and expectancy; and you’ll be empowered to move forward into the life of blessing He has in store for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Heavenly Father, today I choose to put an end to worry in my life. I choose to feed my faith by studying Your promises and declaring Your Word over my life. Help me to totally trust in You today and every day in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Is Bigger

By DR. David Jeremiah – Posted July 21, 2017

Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
Isaiah 46:3-4

Recommended Reading: Deuteronomy 1:30-31

One of the most important verses in the Bible for linking the Old and New Testaments is 1 Corinthians 10:11a: “Now all these things happened to [Israel] as examples, and they were written for our admonition.” The way God cared for Israel tells us He will care for us.

God birthed the nation of Israel and has carried and cared for her and will deliver her at the end of the age. Nothing Israel has experienced will be more than she is able to bear for those who trust in the Lord. Likewise, God elected believers in Christ and called us to Himself. Nothing can separate us from His love and His divine purpose to conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29, 35-39). When we face difficulties in life, we can rest assured they will not be stronger than God’s power to deliver and save us.

If you are experiencing tests or trials, remember that God is bigger than them all. Nothing will derail His plans for your eternal destiny.

Righteousness delivers from the sting of death, but not from the stroke of it. 
Matthew Henry