“…in Your presence there is fullness of joy.”
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

MAY 29 - Heaven and earth would never be the same. A broad smile illuminated the Father’s face; innumerable angels sang their melodious tunes, rejoicing as if frenzied, celebrating without bounds. Joy caused the stars to sparkle with a supernatural glitter, conveying great joy to shepherds who tended their herds each night. The presence of God finally came, bringing unspeakable, unquenchable joy.

Joy seems hard to come by for many people today. Why is that? I have discovered only one answer – neglect of time in God’s presence. The Bible tells us, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” If the devil can steal your joy, he can defeat you. We cannot fight the enemy without divinely-empowered strength.

I have taught this principle over the years – “Satan cannot destroy you; he can only distract you.” Satan eternally attempts to get believers to look at their circumstances. Whenever we look at our circumstances, joy begins to evaporate from our very midst, like puddles on a blistering hot day.

Joy only comes by having our focus on God’s Word and in His presence. If you want to overcome the enemy, begin to worship God and mediate on His Word day and night. As you do, joy rises within you, and no devil in hell is able to defeat you!

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that my feet are firmly planted on the Rock, Jesus Christ. In Your presence is fullness of joy. I refuse to be distracted by circumstances around me. I am strong because I have Your joy and I passionately pursue Your presence.

Family Scripture Reading

Jude

Featured Resource

The New You - CD

Have you accepted your new identity in Christ or do you continually deal with shame, guilt, and low self-esteem. The thoughts we identify with, whether good or bad, sculpt our destiny. Envision the marvelous transformation that would take place if we learned how to walk in our true identity. Imagine what life would be like if you were able to confidently identify with Christ instead of your old sin nature – nothing but victory, joy, and fulfillment. If you desire to learn the keys to walk in your new identity, this series is for you!

Posted under God's Presence

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

MAY 26 - Rome’s invincible legions (tough units of 6,000 professional fighting men) enforced peace throughout the empire, among which was the tiny town of Bethlehem. These soldiers possessed razor-sharp
swords, edged with blood dried from their latest victim, tangible proof they were fully prepared for the next battle, the next war. Each of us is in a battle, a raging war that is being fought upon the battlefield of our mind. God gave us twin tactical weapons with which to fight–His Word and our mouth. But we must faithfully use these weapons to pull down and bring into captivity every traitorous thought to the obedience of Christ.

The thoughts you harbor in your mind are potent seeds that soon develop and produce after their own kind. If a thought is not constructive, it is destructive. There is no middle ground. There are no neutral thoughts—although Satan wants you to believe otherwise!

All self-limiting thoughts of weakness, impending failure, unhappiness, or poverty are harmful and self-destructive. If God did not say it, then we are not authorized to think it. Those thoughts are fatal enemies and trenchant thieves, attempting to hinder our future progress. The key is to counterattack with the ruthlessness of the Roman soldier, and substitute those thoughts with God’s Word whenever they try to gain ascendancy in our minds.

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that I think upon Your Word. I choose to meditate upon what is pure, noble, just, lovely, and that which is of a good report!

Family Scripture Reading

2 John

Featured Resource

The New You - CD

Have you accepted your new identity in Christ or do you continually deal with shame, guilt, and low self-esteem. The thoughts we identify with, whether good or bad, sculpt our destiny. Envision the marvelous transformation that would take place if we learned how to walk in our true identity. Imagine what life would be like if you were able to confidently identify with Christ instead of your old sin nature – nothing but victory, joy, and fulfillment. If you desire to learn the keys to walk in your new identity, this series is for you!

Posted under God's Word

“Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you’ …so Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him.”
Genesis 12:1, 4 (NKJV)

JANUARY 25 - Psalm 37:23 tells us, “The steps of the Godly are directed by the Lord, for He delights in every detail of their lives.” When a young child takes his first steps, unexpected things happen—misshapen movements, irregular strides, and hard falls. But as this same child listens to tender, reassuring parental instruction, he gets back up. Almost every parent loves to cheer on their child as they take those initial steps.

God does not and cannot direct the steps of everyone; only those who choose to comply, those who listen with ready ears to His instructions. We see a man in Genesis who chose to comply with the voice of God. God commanded Abram to travel to a place about which he knew nothing. Abram’s response was immediate, unparalleled obedience. Because of Abram’s readiness to act, God was able to direct his steps. Not every path the Lord leads you on is freshly paved, bordered with colorful flowers, and totally detour free—actually, quite the opposite is true. Nevertheless, God’s paths consistently lead you to an abundant harvest.

Remember, Heaven can only direct the steps of the individual who is willing to act upon God’s Word, but we must choose to immediately obey His promptings. As we quickly comply to Heaven’s orders by taking those first steps of obedience with the innocence of a young child, we experience God’s mighty hand of precise direction, abundant provision, and steadfast protection.

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You for directing my steps so that no sin comes upon my life. Thank You that You delight in every detail of my life. I act upon Your Word, knowing that Your mighty hand directs me.

Day 25: Audio Confession

Family Scripture Reading

1 Kings 18

Featured Resource

From Provision To Prosperity - Confession CDs

Coming from a background where he once had to stay home from school because he had no clothes to wear, Dr. Robb Thompson understands what it’s like to struggle with thoughts of poverty and lack. After giving his life to Jesus Christ, he learned how to replace the negative thoughts of want and insufficiency with God’s thoughts of prosperity and abundance.

He passes this vital lesson to you in From Provision to Prosperity, one of the powerful audio CDs from the Great Exchange Collection. The key to experiencing freedom in your thought life is to replace your thoughts with God’s thoughts. This audio CD has verses and confessions for you to speak over your life. As a result you will move from a “just enough” attitude to a “more than enough” attitude!

Posted under Obedience