Victory247

“…he who has been forgiven little loves little”
(Luke 7:47, NIV)

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me and setting me free. Today I choose to forgive others so that I can have room in my heart to receive Your forgiveness and love. Thank You for setting me free. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him…

Titus 1:16 (NIV)

Do our actions promote or deny that their is a God?

A basketball coach will go home after a game and watch the game again on video. This video session helps him focus on what his team did and didn’t do well. That way he can prepare a good practice for his team to correct specific flaws and build on strengths.

We need to daily have ‘video sessions’ with God. Quietly talking to to Him and reflecting on our life.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, help me to make time to sit down with You in prayer. Show me what to confess and give me the strength to change. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing”

(Proverbs 12:18; NIV)

It’s easy to see how words can be used as a weapon. We’ve all either been “cut” by the words of others, or we’ve used words to put someone “in their place.” The truth of the matter is when we use words recklessly or in a way that cuts others, we are not being wise. The scripture tells us that the tongue of the wise brings life and healing to others.

Today, find something nice to say about someone or share an encouraging word. You never know how you can bring healing to a person’s heart by sharing a kind word. And remember, words are like seeds. When you plant words of life and blessing into others, you’re sure to reap a harvest of blessing in your own life in return.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, today I choose to be wise. I submit my tongue to You and choose to use it for good. Help me find creative ways to encourage the people You have placed in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time”

Titus 1:2 (NIV)

The American definition of the word ‘hope’ is an uncertainty that something a person desires will happen or not.

The actual biblical translation of the word for ‘hope’ is something that is in the future, and WILL happen.

This brings a whole new flavor to ‘resting on the hope of eternal life’ ! We can find great security in life if have accepted Jesus Christ into our hearts (click on Start the Victory at the top of the site and make sure).

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank you that I can know that I have (eternal life) a full and meaning for life now, and heaven when I die. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.” (NIV)

I’m not exactly sure what Paul meant by this verse, but I do have an understanding about ‘grace’.

‘Grace’ reminds me of the word “room”. Room to grow. Room to make mistakes, learn from them and start over. Room to sin, confess it and ask God to keep changing me. Helping me to put more and more distance between my wrongful actions or thoughts.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank you that you give me room. Help me to give grace to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”

(John 15:13, NIV)

Memorial Day honors all those who have given their lives in service for our country. As we remember what these brave men and women did, let’s honor the gift they have given us by choosing to show greater love to others.

I’m so thankful that Jesus loved us enough to lay down His life so that we could spend eternity with Him.The ultimate expression of love. When we let go of having our own way, or when we put the needs and desires of others above our own desires, that’s a form of laying down our life. Today, look for opportunities to put others first. That not only pleases God, but develops our hearts, as well as, stores treasures for us in heaven.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for being the ultimate example of love. Help me find ways to lay down my life for others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there”

(James 3:16, NKJV)

All throughout scripture, God commands us to love. In fact, 1 Corinthians tells us that love is the greatest thing. Do you realize that we are protected when we walk in love? When we are selfish or self-seeking, the scripture tells us that it opens the door to confusion and every evil work. Just like when you go to a bad website that has a virus and bugs, you open your computer to  internal damage.

But when we walk in love, when we choose to put others first, when we choose to be patient and kind, we are protected by God. We close the door to the plans of the enemy in our lives.

This weekend, check your love walk. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and see if you emulate the characteristics of love. Remember, love is not a feeling; it’s a choice. When you choose love, it’s like you are covered by a force field of protection that cannot be penetrated.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I humbly come before You today asking that You search my heart. Remove any selfish way in me and help me to always walk in love. Thank You for protecting me through Your promises. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

This is my favorite verse in the Bible. Paul is sitting in a smelly and damp prison, writing his final words to his best friend, Timothy.

He’s reflecting back on his life and can say that he “finished the race”, and “kept the faith”.  The ultimate accomplishment.

But when he says “he fought the good fight”, reminds me that it wasn’t easy, in fact, it was difficult. The ‘fight’ infers to me that there were mistakes and starting over, conflicts, tough decisions and circumstances. Yet, doing right and seeking God even during times of not feeling well physically or emotionally.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, give me the strength to ‘fight the good fight’ of doing right, helping others and seeking You. Convince me of the blessing. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

It’s so important to make sure our thoughts are becoming more and more like God’s thoughts. Just like a computer program, whatever you allow into your mind is what will come out in your attitude and actions. The more you read, study and memorize God’s Word, the more you will transform your thinking to be like God’s thinking. Remember the WWJD (what would Jesus do) bracelets? Dwell on that to help put your new thinking into action.

Choose today to focus on the Word of God and allow your mind to be renewed. As you focus on God’s thoughts, you will see your actions become more like Him, and you will see His hand of blessing in every area of your life.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I submit to you all that I am. I ask that you renew my mind by Your Word’s so that my thoughts become more like Your thoughts. Please bless my life so that I can help those around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,

2 Timothy 3:10 (Today’s NIV)

As Paul begins his famous final charge to his close friend Timothy, he prefaces it with how well Timothy knows him; his ‘way of life’, his ‘purpose’. How would your closest friend, spouse or kids describe your ‘way of life’ and ‘purpose’?

An ongoing request to be asking from God is to continually reveal to us His purpose and plan for our lives. Then keep looking for it as it unfolds. Remember, if you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, please keep revealing to me Your individualized purpose for my life, and help me to recognize it. In Jesus’ Name. Amen