Daily Spiritual Meditations - March 18

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Proverb A Day – Day 18 by SGLY Ministry

Today’s Proverb: The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 [NKJV]

Today’s Thought: I love this verse! Whenever I read it it always makes me feel so safe! It reminds me that there is strength and protection in the name of the LORD and we believers, those who are righteous because of Christ, can run to the Lord in time of trouble and be kept safe. We can call upon His name, run to Him in times of trouble, and rest assured that He will keep us safe.

Today’s Action:
Today I Will Remember To:
Give thanks for the righteousness in Christ
Call upon the name of the LORD in time of trouble
Run to Him in time of need
Trust Him to keep me safe
Rest in His protection and provision

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What it really means to love others who hurt
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

A mother sent her little girl to a neighbor’s house down the street one afternoon to get a toy she had left there. Thinking it would only take her about 10 minutes, the mom became concerned when her daughter hadn’t returned after about 30 minutes.

So the mom stepped outside to look down the street to see if she saw her daughter. Sure enough, the little girl was on her way back. “What took you so long?” the mom asked.

“I’m sorry mom. When I got to the house, my friend had broken her doll and she was crying. So I helped her fix it.”

“Well, what did you do to fix it?” questioned the mom.

The little girl responded, “I cried with her. And now it’s all better.”

That’s exactly what a lot of folks need today… not someone who can be Mr. or Mrs. Fix-it and put the pieces back together. They need someone who will grieve with them first. They need someone who will take time out of his or her schedule to empathize.

Be that person for someone else. Take time to share grief and bear burdens together. That’s what it really means to love one another through pain.

LOVE OTHERS WHO HURT BY SPENDING TIME AND SHARING IN THEIR PAIN

Jack Graham

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1 John 4:7 'Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.'

- Every day is a gift and an opportunity to spread the love of the Lord.
- When we show love to others, we are reflecting the Lord into their lives.
- Be an instrument in His hands to bring blessing and hope to others.
- Let His love shine through your life, and in the way you care for others.

PRAYER: Lord, may my life be a reflection of the fact that I am loved by You and that I love You. Cause my life to be a blessing to those around me so that they will be convinced of Your love for them. Amen.

Kind Regards
Pastor Andrew Roebert

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Today’s Scripture: “Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines...” (Song of Solomon 2:15, NKJV)

The Little Foxes

Most often, it’s not the big things that happen in life that keep us from being happy; it’s the small things. I’ve heard it said, “Tornadoes and hurricanes get more news coverage; but in reality, termites do more damage.” That’s what today’s scripture is saying. Most of the time, we’re not dealing with some major crisis like losing a job, a life-threatening illness, or a relationship breaking up. The big things are rare. It’s the little inconveniences like not being able to find your car keys in the morning, or being in a hurry and getting behind a driver going 40 in a 60-mile-an-hour zone. It’s the little interruptions and frustrations that get our emotions worked up and cause us to lose our joy and peace.

The way we handle the little things will determine what kind of life we will live. When we allow negative thoughts of frustration to come in, we are allowing the little foxes to spoil the vines. Make the decision today to “catch” those foxes by choosing to think on the right things. Let His Word bring light and life to your emotions so you can move forward in peace and joy each and every day!

A Prayer for Today: “Father, today I submit my mind, will and emotions to You. I choose to focus on Your Word and not allow the little foxes to steal my joy and peace. Keep me close to You and guide me in the way I should go in Jesus’ name. Amen.” --Joel Osteen

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Give Your All to God

Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. — Jeremiah 1:5

Every day you need to give yourself entirely to God. Say, "Lord, I am Yours. I want to be a vessel fit for Your use. I dedicate myself to You: I give You my hands, my mouth, my mind, my body, my money, and my time. Father, here I am. I am Yours; do with me whatever You want to do today."

Once you dedicate yourself to God, then go on about your business. But expect His leading all day long. Listen for His voice to direct you in the way you should go. Accept the challenge to be an instrument for the Lord's use today.

From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer.

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The Width of God’s Love BY RICK WARREN

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT, second edition).

The width of God’s love extends across the entire world and includes everyone he has created: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does” (Psalm 145:17 NIV).
God never made a person that he didn’t love. He made you and he loves you — and God doesn’t make junk! He loves you unconditionally. He loves you very, very much.
Everybody matters to God. In fact, we see in the life of Jesus that he even loves the unlovely and those who may feel unlovable. Do you want to know the secret of self-esteem? Here it is: If you want confidence, then understand how much you matter to God. If God loves you, who cares what anybody else thinks?
Because God loves you, there’s no need to prove your self-worth. We don’t have to wear certain kinds of clothes to make us feel like we’re OK or drive a certain kind of car to prop up our faltering egos. We don’t need status symbols anymore.
God loves you!

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Renew Your Mind by Seek Ye First the Kingdom

I believe we can change the way we feel by how we think. If we are generally in good spirits, and someone does something mean or offensive, like cut us off on the road, or argue with us about some business issue, we are likely to change from our good mood to a negative angry mood, at least for a few minutes. Why? It is because we started thinking about this bad experience and it changed our attitude and mood.

Ephesians 4:23-24 tells us, “let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

When we open ourselves to God’s guidance and influence, and think about the hope, love, mercy, and peace that trusting God offers, we can change our thoughts which will change our attitudes and we will be renewed by the Spirit.

Dear Lord, we thank you that by keeping our focus on You and Your will, we can rise above the negative, and control our thoughts and our attitudes. When we live with peace and joy, we demonstrate what it truly means to be a Christian. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Today’s Scripture: “…You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth...” (Proverbs 6:2, NKJV)

Don’t Be Snared by Your Words by Joel Osteen

To be snared means “to be trapped.” Your words can trap you. What you say can cause you to stumble and keep you from your potential. You’re not snared by what you think. Negative thoughts come to us all. But when you speak them out, you give them life. If you say, “I’ll never get back in shape,” it becomes more difficult. If you say, “I’m not that talented. I don’t have a good personality,” that is calling in mediocrity. It’s setting the limits for your life. When negative thoughts come, the key is to never verbalize them. That thought will die stillborn if you don’t speak it.

In the tough times, it’s very tempting to vent your frustrations. When you continually talk about the problem, you’re making it bigger. Turn it around and talk about the promise. Let your report be: “God is supplying all my needs. It may look impossible on paper, but with God, all things are possible.”

A Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You that I do not have to keep being snared by the words of my mouth. I choose to not focus on or talk about negative circumstances and problems but on Your faithful promises. Help me to keep speaking the right things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

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Teach Me

Thought for the Day

"When we turn ourselves over to God and live with all of our faith placed in Him, our lives become an incredible journey with each day unfolding like a chapter of a novel that we just can't put down. Are you ready to begin your adventure?"

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Today's Word

"If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you." (Exodus 33:13 NIV)

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Today's Prayer

Teach me, Lord, how to live with all of my faith placed in You. Let me face each day knowing that you Your hand guides my path and that there is no place in my day for worry as You are my protector. Though I may pass through storms, knowing You walk with me comforts me and allows me to enjoy each day as it unfolds as part of Your plan for my life. Amen

The Whisper Of God

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Psalm 50:15 ‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour Me.’

- The Lord invites you to call on Him, especially in times of trouble.
- We all have those seasons in our lives when only He can help us.
- He is with you to help you and deliver you.
- Know one thing for sure, He will not abandon you.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the reassurance that You are with me. In times of trouble You will carry and sustain me and in the end You will deliver me and I will rejoice in Your faithfulness. Amen.

Kind Regards
Pastor Andrew W Roebert