Failure is Not Final

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead”
(Phillipians 3:13, NIV)

Are you down on yourself today because of past mistakes you’ve made or because you’re not where you want to be in life? God knows every poor choice, every difficulty, every wrong turn you may have made, and He’s already planned your comeback! In scripture, Jonah took a detour, so to speak. It took him a little bit longer, but because he called out to God, because he believed, God not only rescued him, but God got him to his final destination.

Friend, know today that failure is not final. God always has the final say. Mistakes don’t have to keep you from your destiny. God’s plan can override every setback. Your world may be in turmoil today in a relationship, in your finances or health. But know this: not only will God rescue you; He will set your feet on a rock and lead you to your final destination in life. Remember, the promise He placed on the inside of you didn’t go away because you had some personal failures. No, that failure is only temporarym but His Word remains forever! Keep hoping, keep believing because He will move you into the blessing and victory He has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for Your hand of victory and blessing that is on my life. Today, I shake off the past, I shake off failure, I shake off poor choices and trust that You are restoring me and leading me into the plan You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Email Etiquette for Dating Christian Singles

If you're interested in a particular person's dating profile, and you want to contact them via email, then here are a few dating advice tips on email etiquette that will help you succeed.

• Don't give out your regular email address too soon.  Once someone has your name, it's easy to track your location.
• Speak the Truth in love.  As single christians, remember that the foundation for all our emails and online communications should be speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15) with wholesomeness (Eph 4:29).
• Have something to say.  Whether you are meeting face to face or through email, having good conversation starter skills will help you connect with the other person, while helping you ascertain whether they are a match for you as well.
• Keep it Real.  If you are writing your first email, don't send a form letter.  Believe me, singles can tell when they've been spammed.
• Always leave them wanting more.You're writing a dating letter not a novel, so keep it brief, warm and to the point.  Even if you do not have the time to respond as you would like, acknowledging the other party's initial email with a little note, and explaining you will get back shortly is decent email etiquette.
• If after having several email conversations with a potential mate, you decide to end the communication, appropriate etiquette would dictate that you sendoff an email explaining the situation.

This is the Will of God

 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)

 So many people today wonder what God’s will is for their lives. Oftentimes, they look for big things like signs and supernatural events. But really, God’s will for us unfolds each and every day as we obey Him and serve Him with a thankful heart. When you wake up every morning with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, you just took a step toward your destiny — you are walking in the will of God. When you go throughout your day thanking God that His hand of blessing is upon you, thanking Him for ordering your steps, thanking Him for a new day, you are taking another step in His will.

Today, remember to keep the right perspective. We should have goals and dreams and look forward to a bright future, but the way you live your life today is what’s going to get you to where you need to be tomorrow. Keep praising, keep believing and keep thanking Him because that’s what will keep you moving forward. Submit every area of your heart to Him and walk forward in His will for your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I come to You today with thanksgiving in my heart and a mouth full of praise! I bless You because You are worthy! Thank You for redeeming my life from the pit. Thank You for leading me in the way everlasting as I keep my heart and mind on You today in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Close the Door on Fear

“Do not give the devil an opportunity to work.”
(Ephesians 4:27, ISV)

So many people today are living with less than God’s best because they’ve allowed fear to creep in and take root in their lives. Fear is the greatest weapon the enemy uses to try to hold us back. Fear is not from God. Scripture tells us that fear brings torment. It’s designed to paralyze us and keep us from God’s blessings.

The good news is that God is greater than fear. His power in you is greater than any power that comes against you. But in order to walk in His power, you have to close the door on the enemy. See, the enemy can’t have access to your life unless you open a door and give him access. That’s why we have to be careful about what we watch, what we listen to, what we read, and what we say. When we open ourselves to fear, we give the enemy opportunity.

If you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of life, today you can be free — you can be finished with fear. Conquering the enemy starts by making the choice to close the door on fear, and instead, meditate on God’s promises. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and word of our testimony! Let His truth sink down into your heart. Declare it out of your mouth. Let Him set you free and lead you into victory as you close the door on fear!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I come to You today declaring that I am finished with fear. Thank You for giving me power, love and a sound mind. I choose to stand on Your promises. Fill me with Your peace and joy today as I move forward in victory with You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Place of Blessing

"Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there"
(1 Kings 17:2-4, NIV)

As a believer in Jesus, your steps are ordered by the Most High God. He has a specific place of blessing prepared for you. Just as God directed Elijah to his place of blessing, God is directing you. He's aligning the right opportunities and causing the right people to come along your path to help you get ahead. He's constantly working behind the scenes on your behalf because He is good and loves you with an everlasting love.

The key is that you have to do your part and choose to be obedient to His commands. You have to keep your heart and mind open to Him and maintain an attitude of faith and expectancy. Most of all, you have to watch how you treat others and choose to live in peace and unity because the Bible says that when we live in unity, there He has commanded the blessing. When your heart is in the place of blessing, the rest of your life will be in the place of blessing, too! Today, choose love, choose peace, choose His Word, and choose to enter in to your place of blessing!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I come to You with a grateful heart. Thank You for leading me and directing my steps. Help me to see others the way You see them so I can honor You and live in unity and walk in the place of blessing You have prepared for me in Jesus' name. Amen.

Hiding in the Right Place

"In the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock"
(Psalm 27:5, NIV)

Have you ever watched children play hide and seek? They look for the best place to hide in the house or yard and wait quietly for their friend to try to find them. It's a fun game for kids, but even as adults, we need a good place to hide from time to time. Sometimes we need a place of refuge, a place of safety, a place to rest when we feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of life; a place where the enemy of our soul can never find us.

The good news is that God has the perfect hiding place for you! You don't have to hide in your job. You don't have to hide in relationships. You don't have to hide in food or addictions because God Himself promises to hide you! He freely offers you shelter from the storms of life any time you call on His name.

Remember, there's only one place the enemy cannot find you. There's only one place where opposition cannot steal from you. There's only one true place of safety and rest for your soul, and that is in the arms of Jesus. Know that He loves you, and He is ready to receive you when you call on His name!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I come humbly before You giving You all that I am. Thank You for hiding me in Your shelter and keeping me safe from the storms of life. My soul finds rest in You as I seek You and praise Your holy name in Jesus' name. Amen.