Today's Scripture
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
Jeremiah 10:12, NIV

Beyond Our Understanding

Friend, the book of Genesis tells about how God created the heavens and the Earth. On the first day, He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. What’s interesting is that there was light on the first day, but He didn’t make the sun until the fourth day. How can you have light without the sun? God is showing us that He’s not limited to our logic. He’s supernatural. He’s going to do things in your life that are unexplainable, things that go beyond human reasoning. That’s the God we serve. He does things that are uncommon, unusual, out of the ordinary.

Do you think that God is intimidated by the size of your problem? Does He lose sleep when someone comes against you? During the night, one angel in the Old Testament defeated 185,000 of the enemies of Israel. God being for you is more than the world being against you. You may have some big obstacles, but you have to remind yourself that we serve a big God who works beyond our understanding.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are in no way limited to what I understand is logical and explainable. Thank You that Your supernatural ways go well beyond my human understanding. Help me to remind myself that I am serving a big God who defies the odds. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

Everyone goes through seasons when they feel as though they are in a pit. Maybe you can’t see a way out, but you have to know that God is still with you, and He will make a way where there seems to be no way.

Every day is a new day with God. His mercies are fresh every morning, regardless of where you find yourself or the difficulties you may be going through. God is by your side. He is always offering us a new beginning and a fresh start.

Today's Scripture
And the smoke and fragrant aroma of the incense, with the prayers of the saints (God’s people), ascended before God from the angel’s hand.
Revelation 8:4, AMP

A Sweet-Smelling Aroma

Friend, do you realize that when you give God praise, you’re putting off an aroma that attracts Him? God can smell praise. He’ll pass over person after person, then he comes to you and smells that sweet aroma. He hears you thanking Him, going around being grateful, talking about how blessed you are, declaring His promises. I can imagine God saying to the angels, “I smell something. Do you smell it? There’s a sweet-smelling aroma coming up. Who’s it coming from?” Your praise will attract God. He’ll pass over a host of people and find the one who is full of praise, who has a report of victory, who is talking about how big their God is and not how big their problem is.

Are your attitudes and your words putting off sweet-smelling aromas? Or are you creating stinky attitudes and negative talk and living worried? That’s pushing God away. If you want to attract favor, joy, peace, and creativity, start sending up some praise. Start thanking God for what He’s done. Start bragging on His goodness. Start declaring victory over your life.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the powerful vision of the worship and praise that surrounds Your throne at all times. Thank You that You are listening for my praise, to my every prayer, to the gratitude in my heart, and to my declarations of Your promises. Help me to give off a sweet-smelling aroma wherever I am. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

God’s mercy is new every morning. Receive that mercy and move on. Life is too short to let what happened in the past keep you from the great things God has in your future.

Today's Scripture
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
Luke 12:25, NIV

Your Life Follows Your Thoughts
Friend, do you realize that your life is moving toward what you’re constantly thinking about? This can be helpful or harmful. Are you worrying about your future? “I never get good breaks. How will I ever retire?” You’re moving toward defeat, lack, and mediocrity. Try a new approach. “Favor is in my future. Good breaks are chasing me down. The right people are headed my way.” When you think like that, you’re moving toward favor, increase, open doors, and abundance.

Are you worrying about your health? “I’ve had this condition for years, and it’s getting worse. Everyone in my family struggles with depression. I’ll never get back in shape.” That’s moving you in the wrong direction. Change starts in your thinking. Try this approach, “This condition is not permanent. Chains that have held me back are being broken. I am free. I am whole. I am healthy. I am full of energy, vitality, and strength. My youth is being renewed like the eagle’s.” Get your mind going in the right direction. Your life is going to follow your thoughts.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are in control of all the situations in my life and You are fighting my battles. I choose to guard my mind from worrisome, anxious thoughts that trap me in negativity and discouragement. I believe that no weapon formed against me will prosper. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

You are not inconveniencing God by praying bold. Bold prayers get God’s attention. Bold prayers cause angels to go to work. Bold prayers open doors you could never open. Bold prayers turn impossible situations around.

Today's Scripture
But Phinehas had the courage to intervene, and the plague was stopped.
Psalm 106:30, NLT

Be a Phinehas

Friend, in Numbers 25, Midianite women had lured the Israelites into idol worship, partying, and committing all kinds of immorality. God was so displeased that a plague broke out and thousands of Israelites died. It looked as though the plague would continue. Then a man named Phinehas rose up and put to death an Israelite man and Midianite woman who publicly defied Moses’ warning. One person took a stand and said, “I’m going to honor God and do the right thing,” and the plague ended.

Phinehas’s action was extreme, but it saved others. Take it symbolically. You can stop the plague in your family, but you have to kill the negative cycle of anger, unforgiveness, compromise, or addiction. As long as you allow these things to live, they will kill your dreams, kill your freedom, kill your purpose, and get passed down to your children. Have the courage to step up. Our attitude should be: “This may have been passed down, but it’s not going to get past me. I will win the battle. This is where it ends.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the call to rise up and take my stand against whatever negative cycle has plagued me and my family. Thank You that I am not limited by my past, by dysfunction that’s been passed down. I believe that You are going to help me take my family to the next level. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

Today's Scripture
Boaz replied, “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband.…May the LORD the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
Ruth 2:11–12, NLT

Under His Wings

Friend, Ruth was widowed at a young age but committed to caring for her mother-in-law, Naomi. Her dreams were shattered. She could have been bitter, but instead she had a heart after God and had made Him her refuge. She would get up early every morning and go to the fields to pick up leftover grain. It looked like she would always struggle. But God sees what you’ve been through. You may be at a disadvantage, but God is not at a disadvantage. He controls the universe. He caused Boaz, one of the wealthiest men in that area, to see her, fall in love, and marry her. She went from working in the field to owning the field.

Don’t believe the lies that you’re stuck. You’re not limited by what’s happened to you, what you didn’t get, who wasn’t there for you. Just keep being your best, putting God first. The right people are going to notice you. He is arranging things in your favor, ordering your steps. New doors are going to open. Some suddenlies, promotion, opportunities will catapult you to a new level.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You know every hardship and hurt, every unfair and difficult situation I have faced. I choose to believe that You have more blessings and favor for me than I can dream. I believe that I have come under Your wings and some suddenlies are coming my way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

Faith and worry can't coexist. They're opposites. Don't allow anxieties to push you around. Take your worries and begin to offer them up to God. Bring Him into the middle of your challenges, and it becomes a prayer.