The Road of Relationship
by Joyce Meyer – posted October 17, 2012
Sometimes it seems that religion is killing people. There are many who are seeking a relationship with God, but the religious community tells them what they need to “do” in order to be acceptable to Him. This religious spirit was alive in Jesus’ day, and even though He died to put an end to it and bring people into close personal relationship with Himself, the Holy Spirit, and the Father, that same spirit still torments people to this day—if they don’t know the truth.
Religion says, “You must find a way, no matter how impossible it may seem. You had better follow the rules or suffer punishment.” But relationship says, “Do your best because you love Me. I know your heart. Admit your faults, repent of your mistakes, and just keep loving Me.”
From the book Ending Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
Our Daily Bread – Before The Beginning
Read: Genesis 1
When he was a teenager, my son asked me one of those questions that make you earn your pay as a parent. “Dad,” Steve inquired, “if God has existed for eternity, what was He doing before He created the universe?”
So, what was happening in the eons before “God created the heavens and the earth”? (Gen. 1:1). For one thing, we know that there was “wisdom” before creation itself, which came from God’s character. Wisdom, personified in Proverbs 8:23, said, “I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.”
Also, we know that God’s salvation plan of grace was in the works before the world was hung in its place. In 2 Timothy 1:9, we read that grace “was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” Likewise, Titus 1:2 says that eternal life was promised “before time began.” We also know that Jesus was glorified and loved in God’s presence “before the world was” (John 17:5; see also v.24).
These tiny glimpses of God before He created the earth help us see a little of the essence and magnitude of our awesome, eternal God. We see His majesty and greatness. Amazing, isn’t it? We worship a God who existed from the beginning . . . and beyond.
You are the Alpha and Omega—the Beginning
and the End—and so much more. Thank You
that we can worship and magnify You.
—Sir Thomas Browne
Biketoberfest – Daytona Beach
Event Happens: Oct 18, 2012 – Oct 21, 2012
Why have a regular ol’ Octoberfest when you can experience Biketoberfest® in Daytona Beach. This is a roaring good time throughout Central East Florida, as bikers come from near and far to participate. There’s nothing like being on the road, enjoying the freedom and feeling that Florida sun. Ride the Loop, meet your fellow riders and enjoy fun events all four days. Even if you’re not on a bike, you won’t want to miss the glorious sound and vision of gleaming motorcycles by the thousands and the characters who ride them.
Events will be happening throughout Daytona Beach, but Riverfront Park on South Beach Street will be hopping with vendors and food. DJ Ronnie will be keeping the music going from 10 am – 7 pm. Hourly giveaways and Beach Street Riverfront Beauties serving drinks spice up the action at the park.
For more information including helpful ride maps and a full schedule, visit Biketoberfest.org. Find your Central East Florida lodging near Daytona Beach by clicking here.
Be Of Good Cheer!
by Joyce Meyer – posted October 16, 2012
—Joshua 1:6
In John 16:33, Jesus said, “Be of good in this verse is, “to be of good courage.” When the Lord was giving Joshua direction, He repeatedly told him to be of good courage. Without the cheerful attitude that God encouraged Joshua to walk in, he would have given up when the enemy repeatedly came against him, and the children of Israel would never have reached the promised land.
The same is true of you in your daily walk. Joy and cheer give you the strength to carry on toward the goal the Lord has set before you. Lack of joy is why many times you give up when you should endure. The presence of courage and a cheerful attitude gives you the endurance to outlast the devil, overcome your negative circumstances, and “inherit the land.”
From the book Ending Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer. Published by Warner Faith. All rights reserved.
Unlimited Supply
Today’s Scripture:
And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe… – Ephesians 1:19, AMP.
Today’s Word:
If I had a thousand gallons of water to give you but you only had a one-gallon container, you wouldn’t be able to receive what I had for you. The problem would not be with the supply. It would be with your ability to receive. If you would get rid of the small container and get something larger, I could give you so much more.
It’s the same way with God. We might have a tendency to think, “The economy is down. I could never afford that house I really want. My business will never expand. I don’t have the funding. I don’t have the people behind me.” No, you’ve got to get rid of that one-gallon bucket. Get rid of that small container. The God we serve is a big God! He has an unlimited supply. Jesus said, “According to your faith it will be done unto you.” It’s not according to God. God has all the power, all the resources in the world. It’s according to what we believe.
Today, increase your capacity to receive. Enlarge your thinking by meditating on the Word of God. Praise Him and magnify Him because with God all things are possible, and He has an unlimited supply!
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for Your unlimited supply of everything I need in this life. I open my heart to You; I choose to take the limits off. Increase me so that I can receive every blessing You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Our Daily Bread – No More; No Less
Read: 2 Timothy 2:14-26
Recently I was reading about how easy it is to mishandle the message of the Bible. We may try to make it support what we already believe is true instead of allowing it to speak to us with God’s intended message. Some people use the Bible to defend one side of an issue, while others use the Bible to attack that same issue. Both quote Scripture to support their views, but both can’t be right.
It is important as we use God’s Word that we are committed to saying no more and no less than the Scriptures actually say. If we mishandle the Word, we misrepresent it, which ultimately misrepresents God’s character. This is why Paul challenged Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). A key priority for unashamed, approved workers for Christ is to accurately interpret (“rightly divide”) God’s Word. As we study, we can depend on the Spirit, who inspired it, to give us understanding and wisdom.
Through our words and actions, we have opportunity to represent God’s Word in ways that genuinely reflect God’s heart. That is one of the greatest privileges of the Christian life.
our lives. May we give it the serious care and
handling it so richly deserves, and may we live it
out daily through our actions and attitudes. Amen.
Our Daily Bread – An Escort Through The Valley
Read: Psalm 23
I’ve heard people say, “I’m not afraid of death because I’m confident that I’m going to heaven; it’s the dying process that scares me!” Yes, as Christians, we look forward to heaven but may be afraid of dying. We need not be ashamed to admit that. It is natural to be afraid of the pain that comes with dying, of being separated from our loved ones, of possibly impoverishing our families, and of regret over missed earthly opportunities.
Why don’t Christians need to be afraid of death? Because Jesus was raised from the grave, and we who are in Christ will also be raised. That is why in 1 Corinthians 15:56-57, Paul proclaimed: “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The dying process itself is but an escort that ushers us into eternity with God. As we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” we can have this confidence from God’s Word: “You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4). The picture here is of the Lord coming alongside us, giving comfort and direction as He escorts us through the dark valley to the “house of the Lord.” There we will dwell with Him forever (v.6).
Stepping out safe on that shore,
Sadness and suffering over,
Dwelling with Christ evermore! — Anon.
I Am Lady Fab 