"They" Is You and Me

God is just. It's His character—who He is—and it's something He wants us to pursue.

Justice seeks to make wrong things right. It is us working throughout our lives to fix injustices in the world around us. Every time we see something that's wrong, our first response should be to pray about it. Our second response should be to ask ourselves, "What can I do about it?"

However, it doesn't even occur to most of us. It's like we look at things and think that it's someone else's problem, and we wish "they" would fix it! We wish "they" would do this and that.

Have you ever stopped to ask, "Who is they?" I think "they" is us— you and me! You may not be able to fix everything, but you can do something. Don't look at injustice and do nothing. You must do something because God did not create you for inactivity and passivity. He created you for enthusiasm, zeal and passion. He put gifts in you to be used for His glory and to help other people. Live a life of justice today.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, don't allow me to sit around wishing "they" would do something about the injustice in the world when I can do something. Fill me with boldness, and show me how to right the wrongs in the world around me. 

Stillness Before God

One of the most important things we can learn in this day and hour is how to be still.

I believe that one of the significant reasons so many of us are burned out and stressed out is that we don't know how to be still. We don't really know God and do not acknowledge Him. And it’s only by spending time getting to know Him that we learn to hear His still, small voice so that He can direct our paths.

We need to learn to be quiet on the inside and stay in that peaceful state so that we are always ready to hear the Lord's voice. Many people today run from one thing to the next. Because their minds don't know how to be still, they don't know how to be still in their heart.

If we'll just slow down and quiet our minds enough to hear His promptings, we can live in a place of peace, ready to respond obediently. It is easy to see that leading a peaceful, happy life, free from exhaustion and burnout—is not all that complicated, as long as we remain still before God.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I recognize that You alone are God. I know that stillness before You is important, so show me how to remain settled and peaceful inside, always ready to hear Your voice.

Does God Love You When You Make Mistakes?

Have you ever wondered if you are good enough for God to love you? Unfortunately, many people believe God loves them only as long as they don't make mistakes.

Perhaps it was this outlook that caused the psalmist to ask, "What is man that You are mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4 AMP). Yet the Bible tells us that we are God's creation—the work of His hands–and that He loves each one of us unconditionally.

Let's face it: Jesus didn't die for you because you were great and wonderful; He died for you because He loves you. Romans 5:8-9 confirms this truth by telling us that He died for us while we were still sinners.

God loved you enough to give His only begotten Son, not only to die for your sins, but also to cover your daily mistakes. He loves you enough to get you through each day in power and victory.

God loves you, and He wants you to believe it and receive it all the time...even when you make mistakes.

Prayer Starter: Lord, Your love is incredible. You love me even when it doesn't make sense to me. When I make mistakes, You are still with me. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, my mistakes are covered. I receive Your love today.

Abiding In the Word

Most Christians know the importance of reading the Bible, but many do not understand the importance of abiding in the Word and allowing the Word to abide in them.

When we are diligent to study the Word and hide Scripture verses in our hearts, we have instant access to them whenever we need them, and Jesus promised that we can ask for whatever we need in prayer and receive it.

Abiding in the Word and allowing the Word to abide in us makes us true disciples of Jesus (see John 8:31). It gives us more power in our prayer lives, and having power in prayer gives us power over the enemy.

Can you honestly say that you have spent your years as a Christian abiding in God's Word…and allowing it to abide in you? If the answer is no, I encourage you to take action. Make reading and studying the Word a priority. Start memorizing Scriptures and hiding them in your heart. Then, when you face the battles of life, you will be fully armed and prepared to win the war.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I want to be a true disciple and walk in the power that comes from abiding in Your Word. Lead me as I diligently study Scripture and hide Your truth down in my heart.

Good Enough

For many of us, our biggest problem is that we don't like ourselves, and our skewed outlook makes it difficult for us to believe that God could possibly love us.

For years I struggled with this problem. I spent at least 75 percent of my time trying to change myself, but all I really did was stress myself out while the devil constantly made me feel guilty. I never felt good enough.

Isaiah 53 tells us that when Jesus died for our sins, He also bore the guilt. He loved us so much that He paid the price so we wouldn't have to suffer with the terrible feelings of condemnation. If we go to God and sincerely ask Him to forgive us, He does, and there is no reason to live with condemnation.

God loves you, and He wants you to believe it and receive it all the time. He also wants you to be free from condemnation. But it takes faith and boldness to be free. God says you are good enough. Accept that today and live a life of victory.

Prayer Starter: God, Your Son has taken my guilt and punishment and made me good enough. I believe that today, and I refuse to live with the burden of condemnation. I ask for and receive Your forgiveness for my sins.

Increase Your Self-Acceptance

You may not think highly of yourself, but God wants you to like who you are. Here are 5 practical tips to help increase your self-acceptance and improve your opinion of yourself:

1. Never speak negatively about yourself. The communication of your faith is made effectual by acknowledging every good thing in you through Christ Jesus, not by focusing on the wrong.

2. Avoid comparing yourself to others. Peter encountered this obstacle when he compared himself to another disciple. He said, "Lord, what about this man? Jesus replied, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you?..." (John 21:21-22 AMP). We are not called to compare, only to comply.

3. Let God determine your worth. Remember that you have already been accepted by God.

4. Keep your flaws in perspective. It's ok to see where you want to improve, but make sure you appreciate your progress.

5. Discover the true source of confidence. If you place your confidence in God, you can't help but have a healthy attitude. Do your best, and leave the results to Him.

Prayer Starter: God, thank You for accepting me even when I have trouble accepting myself. Help me to acknowledge the good qualities You've given me and keep my flaws in perspective as I find my confidence in You.

Give a Love That Liberates

Love is liberating. It provides a sense of belonging and a sense of freedom. Love does not try to control or manipulate others or reach fulfillment through the destiny of others.

Jesus said that He was sent by God to proclaim liberty. As believers, that is what we are meant to do also—to free people to fulfill God's will for their lives, not to bring them under our control.

I have discovered that trying to make people do what I want them to do closes the door for God to speak to their hearts. We need to release the people in our lives to be all they can be for God's glory, not our own.

Set people free and they will love you for it. Don't be manipulative. Instead, learn to let God be in control of their lives.

A person who has great love is one who is able to release people and things. Today, don't be a person who controls, but one who freely gives the liberating love that only comes from God.

Prayer Starter: God, I want the love I give others to be the same liberating love that You give. I give up my desire to control and manipulate. I will simply love those You put in my life and entrust them to You.

Receiving the Power of God Through Prayer

Prayer is so powerful because it joins the hearts of people on earth with the heart of God in heaven. When we pray, we connect with God, and He affects our daily lives beyond our comprehension.

I believe prayer is one of the greatest powers available in the entire universe. That may seem like a bold statement, but it's true!

Prayer opens the door for God to work. It is the activity that you and I can engage in on earth when we need the power of heaven to come into our lives and bring wisdom, direction, encouragement or a miraculous breakthrough. Prayer connects us to the power of God—and that is why it is a greater force than anything else we can ever imagine. Even Jesus needed to pray and receive this power when He was on earth.

Only God's power can bring peace, instill joy, grant wisdom, impart a sense of value and purpose to a person who doesn't know what to do in life, and work every kind of miracle.

Do you want to see that power work in your life? Then make prayer a priority.

Prayer Starter: Lord, the power of prayer is absolutely astounding. I want to connect with You and see You work in my life, so I make a commitment now to remain in a constant state of prayer with You.

Change Your Definition of Prayer

Have you ever heard the biblical phrase "pray without ceasing"? To many, that sounds daunting and impossible. How could anyone bow their head, kneel, and pray 24 hours a day?

If that's what you think, it might be time to change your definition of prayer. Too often we view prayer as a very specific process that can only happen once we've gone to a private place and shut the entire world out.

But do you realize that even directing a thought toward God qualifies as silent prayer? It's true! Prayer is communicating with God, so when the Bible says to "pray without ceasing" it means to always be open to communication with God. That could mean a two-hour prayer session, or it could be something as simple as being aware of His presence as you go throughout your day.

God has not made prayer complicated. He intends for prayer to be an integral part of our everyday lives. Today, change your definition of prayer, and you can experience the joy that comes from constant communication with the God who loves you.

Prayer Starter: God, help me change my definition of prayer and show me ways to communicate with You day in and day out. Thank You for Your constant presence in my life.

Living with God’s Thoughts, Will and Emotions

As believers, we need to learn how to understand the soul, which is made up of the intellect, will and emotions. Since it is full of "self" and does not want to submit to the Holy Spirit, it must be purified.

Because we are free moral agents, our own minds tell us what we think, but our thoughts are not necessarily God's thoughts.

Our wills dictate what we want, even if it conflicts with what He wants for us.

Our emotions govern our feelings, when in reality our hearts should only be subject to God and His Word.

God wants us to replace our thoughts, desires, and feelings with His. And we cannot live in victory until we do.

Start by telling God you want to live His way. In Romans 6, Paul urges us to "offer" ourselves to Him. Make a choice today, not to use your soul for yourself, but to instead offer it all to God.

As the soul is purified it is trained to carry God's thoughts, desires and feelings, and then you will become a powerful outlet for His glory.

Prayer Starter: Lord, my thoughts are sinful, I don't always want what You want, and my feelings try to rebel against Your Word, but I don't want to live that way any longer. Father, I offer my soul to You, knowing that when I do, You can purify me and use me to accomplish Your will.

Real Love – the Energy of Life!

Love is the energy of life. It's what motivates people to get up each day and keep going. It gives life purpose and meaning.

People often have times in their lives when they believe they are unloved or have no one to love. They develop this mindset because they are looking for fulfillment in ways that seem good at first but often leave them feeling frustrated, disappointed and empty inside.

Does this ever happen to you? Do you ever look for love and end up feeling unfulfilled? Let me ask you this: What kind of love are you pursuing?

You may be looking for love, but really, you're looking for God, because He is love. Any love you gain that is disconnected from God is not really love and will leave you feeling unfulfilled.

The Bible says that in Him we live, move, and have our being. That tells me that without Him, life is not complete.

Everyone is looking for love, but are you looking for God's love? It's the only love that matters, the only love that lasts, and the only love that fulfills.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I don't want to spend my life unfulfilled, pursuing love that's not from You. If it's not found in You, it's not real love, because You are love. Today, I find my love in You.