Envision - Friday, August 10, 2012 | Daily Word

Envision - Friday, August 10, 2012 | Daily Word

Envision

I ENVISION MY LIFE AS I WANT IT TO BE.

I have been given a great gift: the ability to envision and create the life I want. My power of imagination allows me to picture my goals as already achieved, my challenges as already overcome.

I see with my mind’s eye what I want most, and begin to manifest it with the guidance of Spirit. As I envision my dream becoming reality, I also imagine the feelings it will bring— elation, perhaps, or relief, satisfaction or peace. I pray with these thoughts and feelings in mind, and I hold to them despite any outer appearances or inner doubts.

God guides me to my highest good. My faith is renewed as my good comes into manifestation.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory.—Ephesians 3:20-21

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread

Comfort In Captivity

August 9, 2012 — by Dennis Fisher

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Read: Isaiah 39:5–40:5

Comfort, yes, comfort My people! —Isaiah 40:1

Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 40-42

On February 10, 1675, 50 colonial families in Lancaster, Massachusetts, feared possible Native American raids. Joseph Rowlandson, the Puritan minister of the village, was in Boston pleading with the government for protection, while Mary, his wife, stayed behind with their children. At sunrise, the settlers were attacked. After some of the settlers were killed, Mary and other survivors were taken captive.

Mary experienced both kindness and cruelty from her captors. The Native Americans, aware of the religious nature of the settlers, gave her a Bible they had confiscated. Later she would write in her memoirs about God’s “goodness in bringing to my hand so many comfortable and suitable Scriptures in my distress.” God’s Word was her great comfort until she was ransomed by the colonists on May 2.

As the nation of Judah waited to be taken into captivity by a foreign power (Isa. 39:5-7), the despair of its people must have been great. But even in that dreadful anticipation, God’s words brought comfort: “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” (v.8).

Have you been taken captive by circumstances beyond your control? If so, read and meditate on the Word. And experience God’s comfort.

Upon Thy Word I rest, so strong, so sure;
So full of comfort blest, so sweet, so pure,
Thy Word that changest not, that faileth never!
My King, I rest upon Thy Word forever. —Havergal

God’s Word is the true source of comfort.

Cooperation - Thursday, August 09, 2012 | Daily Word

Cooperation - Thursday, August 09, 2012 | Daily Word

Cooperation

I JOIN IN A SPIRIT OF LOVE AND COOPERATION WITH ALL PEOPLE.

Nature teaches me the value of cooperation. When I see bees in a hive producing honey, ants working tirelessly to accomplish their task, and animals instinctively teaming to care for their young, I witness natural collaboration.

What a wonderful lesson as I remember I live in partnership with all beings. I embrace our oneness and share in a spirit of cooperation and love. I remember that beyond our differences, lies the truth that we are one, sharing this space and time on our beautiful planet.

I envision all people working together for the common good. Through our collective consciousness, we create a better world.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.—2 Corinthians 6:1

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread

Winners And Losers

August 8, 2012 — by Dave Branon

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Read: 1 Peter 3:8-12

In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. —Philippians 2:3

Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 37-39

As the NFL playoff game ended and the Green Bay Packers celebrated their victory over the Chicago Bears, my daughter Lisa noticed that her little girl, 4-year-old Eliana, was crying. That seemed odd, since neither of Eliana’s parents particularly cared who won the game.

When Lisa asked Eliana why she was crying, she said, “I feel sorry for the Bears. They look so sad.”

Can we learn something from a preschooler about compassion? In a world where winning is so important and losers get rejected, forgotten, and maligned, we need this reminder: People need compassion. When we see others struggling with a loss are we willing to shed tears with them, put our arms around them, and offer to help?

A number of Scripture passages challenge us to treat others with compassion. Philippians 2:1-3 tells us to think of others above ourselves, looking out for their interests—not just ours. First Peter 3:8-12 reminds us that compassion means treating others “as brothers,” and Colossians 3:12-15 says that mercy, kindness, and humility are marks of those God has redeemed.

Look around you. See anyone going through a difficult loss? Go beyond feeling bad for them. Reach out with compassion and God’s love.

Lord, grant me a heart of compassion
So burdened for others’ needs,
That I will show them Your mercy
In attitudes, words, and deeds. —Fitzhugh

One measure of our likeness to Christ is our sensitivity to the suffering of others.

Healing - Wednesday, August 08, 2012 | Daily Word

Healing - Wednesday, August 08, 2012 | Daily Word: "Healing
THE HEALING LIGHT AND LIFE OF GOD FLOW THROUGH ME NOW.
Ease is more natural than dis-ease, and health is more natural than illness. Whenever I have a healing need, I relax, release my fears, and allow the healing light and life of God to flow through me. I affirm the power of God within to heal whatever needs to be healed.

Healing light fills me, permeating every cell and fiber of my being. God is greater than any appearance of illness, and healing light breaks forth as I affirm the power of God working in and through me now. First in mind, then in body, my healing springs up quickly.

Moment to moment, I give thanks for the healing light and life of God within me.

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly.—Isaiah 58:8"

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Free - Tuesday, August 07, 2012 | Daily Word

Free - Tuesday, August 07, 2012 | Daily Word: "Free
I AM FREE TO BE A HEALTHY, WHOLE AND FULFILLED CREATION OF GOD.
I stop myself from thinking or saying, “I can’t” or “If only I could.” Instead of wishing circumstances were different, I become fully aware of my freedom to be all I can be, right now.

In Truth, I am free to live as a divinely supported, strong and whole creation of God. No circumstance or person can deny this to me. I recognize myself as a spiritual being and live in that Truth.

Embracing my freedom is a matter of choice. I reach for my heart’s desire and do not let fear of failure stop me. I choose to believe that I can, rather than assuming that I cannot. I choose to believe in what God can do through me as a free, unlimited being.

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!—2 Corinthians 5:17"

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread

Always

August 6, 2012 — by Joe Stowell

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Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

We shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. —1 Thessalonians. 4:17-18

Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 31-33

I love the words alwaysand never. They hold so much hope! I would like to think that I couldalways be happy and that life would never fail me. But reality says that I won’t always be happy and that the things I hope would never happen just might. So, as good as these words sound, they struggle to live up to their potential—unless you are thinking about the promise of Jesus’ presence.

To a group of troubled disciples who feared facing life on their own Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20). The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus said, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’” (Heb. 13:5-6). And the apostle Paul assures believers that after death, “We shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17). How encouraging!

No matter how scary our journey may feel today or how hopeless our future may look, the assurance of His never-failing presence can provide us with the courage and comfort to make it through. And best of all, when this short life is over, we will always be with Him. No wonder Paul encourages us to “comfort one another with these words” (v.18).

Jesus said He’s always with us,
He will never leave our side;
Someday we’ll be in His presence
Where forever we’ll abide. —Sper

Confidence in God’s presence is our comfort.