Daily Spiritual Meditations - March 21

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Proverb A Day – Day 21 by SGLY Ministry

Today’s Proverb: The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord. Proverbs 21:31 [NKJV]

Today’s Thought: We can’t save ourselves in our strength, We must trust in the Lord to set us free. We can fight the battle, but our ultimate success comes from the Lord.

Today’s Action: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

Today:
I will spiritually prepare myself for battle according to Ephesians 6:10-18
I will put my trust in the Lord to protect me according to Psalm 91
I will ask the Lord to fight for me according to Psalm 37:39-40
I will wait for the Lord’s timing according to Psalm 27:14

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Who is in control of your feelings?

Life is going to throw us difficulties, but we can choose how we face them. We can choose to let our circumstances stress us out and overwhelm us or we can choose to take charge of our feelings and be happy regardless of what is going on around us. Self-control is a great tool that God has given us, but it only helps us when we use it.

This Week's Scripture: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Tip from Joyce: “You can choose to be in control, instead of letting your circumstances control you.” – Joyce Meyer

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A Bible Devotion

You Are Not A Failure

EPHESIANS 2:10 NIV 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

You may have failed, but you are not a failure.

It is not the essence of what and who you are. Failure is just something that happened to you.

God created you, and He made you able to do good. Maybe you have not yet discovered what you were created for, but God has a plan for you. When you fit into God's plan you will find that God truly made you "a work of His art."

A donkey could compare itself to a race horse and think it was a failure. But a donkey was created for other things than running fast.

Find out what you were created to be and do. Then rejoice as you do it.

SAY THIS: I am God's unique work of art -- still in progress.

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God Says You Are Capable By Rick Warren

“It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not because we deserved it but because that was his plan long before the world began — to show his love and kindness to us through Christ” (2 Timothy 1:9 TLB).

God says you have been gifted for ministry to serve other people. Every Christian is a minister. That doesn’t mean every Christian is a pastor, but you are a minister. Anytime you’re using your talents and gifts to help others, you’re ministering.

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:9 that God “saved us . . . for his holy work” (TLB). You are saved to serve. Why did God save you? So you could serve him.

You may be thinking, “How do I know what my ministry is?” You look at your SHAPE — your Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. You look at how God shaped you. God wants you to use your talents and gifts to help other people. Every time you do that, that’s called ministry — nothing fancy about it. It’s just helping others.

Can you minister in a sales office? Yes, you can. Can you minister as an accountant? Yes, you can. Can you minister driving a truck? Sure! Whenever you’re helping other people in his name, you’re ministering.

God says you’re necessary. You’re an essential part of his family.

We’re all important! We’re all needed to do our part as we fit together.

Talk It Over:
Do you know what your SHAPE is — your Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences that make you uniquely you?
How are you using your SHAPE to serve others in your church and your community?

Why do you think God designed it so that we need each other to fulfill our purpose?

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No matter what life brings, you are never alone. It sure may feel like you have been abandoned as the storms rage but the Lord is with you. He gives you extra strength to weather the storms even when you can't feel His presence. Here's a little whisper from Jesus this hour...

Dearest Beloved Child, I hold you in the palm of my hands. Do not worry for I am going to help you through. It won't always be this difficult. A new day of blessings is just around the corner. Let me carry you. Let me hold you in my arms. I am here. I am with you. I will never let you go. The Peace Of Heaven

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Still Working By Dave Branon

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” —Matthew 25:23

Vivian and Don are in their mid-90s and have been married more than 70 years. Recently Vivian suffered a setback when she broke her hip. This has been additionally difficult because for several years both Don and Vivian have been saddened by the realization that they are no longer strong enough to be active in the life and work of their church.

However, Vivian and Don are still hard at work for the Lord: They are prayer warriors. While they may not always be physically present and visible in the life of their church, they are faithful “behind the scenes” in their service for Him.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 reminds us that we must use the “talents” God has given us wisely. All of us have God-given skills and abilities at various levels—and we must not bury, unused, what God has given us.

It is not only in our years of strength that God will use us, but also in our youth and age, as well as in our sickness and weakness. Vivian and Don continue to serve by praying. And like them, we honor our Savior by using our skills—“each according to his own ability” (v.15) to serve Him who is worthy.
Lord, You have done so much for me. Please show
me what I can do to serve You—to honor You with
the abilities You have provided. May my life be a
living sacrifice of love and action for Your honor.

God can use you at any age—if you are willing.