Victory247

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)

Paul was writing some advice to his good friend Timothy, urging him to tell others about what he has learned.

It embeds truth in to your heart if you pass on the things you are learning about God. They get blessed, you get blessed, and He is honored. Try it next time you hear a good sermon, come across an inspiring bible verse, or read a meaningful devotional. Briefly and humbly tell someone else what you have learned. This could be a family member, co-worker, friend…

TODAY’S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, give me the courage and the tact to relay what I learn to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want”
(Proverbs 11:24, AMP)

In the book of Genesis, God set up a system of seedtime and harvest. Everything God does starts with a seed. The Bible also tells us that He gives seed to the sower. In other words, if you are a person who has a desire to bless others and sow seed, God will make sure you have plenty to give. Notice in today’s verse what happens when we generously sow seed—we increase more! Just like planting a seed in the natural brings an abundant harvest, planting a spiritual seed brings an abundant harvest as well. You can’t out give God. The scripture says that He will pour out blessings on you that you can barely contain.

God’s blessings go way beyond the financial realm. He wants you to have blessed relationships, good health, and a happy career. Why don’t you take a step of faith today and look for ways to start sowing. What do you have in your hand? Can you start by giving a smile and sowing joy? Do you have five dollars to help someone else at the gas pump? Choose to be blessing and watch how God brings increase in every area of your life.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, today I choose to be a sower and a giver. Help me to see the people around me the way You see them so that I can bless them the way You want to bless them. Thank You for Your faithfulness in my life as I stay obedient to Your Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

When you trust Jesus Christ to come into our life, God gives you something! A spirit not of weakness and timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. Power and self-discipline seem to be the tough, macho, hard-nosed attributes given here. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about this. But, love doesn’t seem to fit in this list.

That is, only if we view love in the wrong light. Love is a tough thing to accomplish. It’s not fluffy and soft most of the time. It is an act of the will that ‘cares for and acts on someone else’s behalf over ourself.’

TODAY’S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you that you gave us a spirit of love. Help me to care for others even in those times I don’t feel like it. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”
(1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)

When the Lord looks at your heart, what does He see? Every one of us has an outer life and an inner life. The outer life is our public life that the people around us see. The inner life is made up of our thoughts, attitudes, and motives. Only you and God know what’s going on inside of you.

Too many people go around today pretending—acting one way, yet on the inside they’re thinking something totally different. Their heart and their actions don’t line up. But we have to understand that God is looking on the inside. We can fool a lot of people, but we can’t fool God. He would rather us be open and honest than go through life pretending.

Take inventory of what’s going on inside of you today. Are you at peace? Are you overlooking offenses? Do you believe the best in people? Do your heart and actions line up? If not, ask the Lord to give you an undivided heart. Be determined to stay true in your mind and your actions. Line up your whole being with His Word so that you can be pleasing to Him all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You today and ask that You search the deep places of my heart. Show me if there is any area where I need to line up my heart and actions. Help me to be authentic and true in my mind, heart, and actions. In Jesus Name. Amen

Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

2 Timothy 1:3 NLT

The writer of this letter, Paul, prayed for his best friend, Timothy, every day. I know Paul spent more time talking to God than most of us (which could be part of the reason he got more out of life than most of us). Two things seem to happen each time we pray for others; 1) God hears us  2) We become a little less self-consumed and ‘me-centered’.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me talk to You more and more for other people’s needs and concerns. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace FROM God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord”  2 Timothy 1:2

Paul is writing to his very close friend, Timothy. He wishes him some pretty major stuff. Grace, mercy, and peace. It’s easy to read right over this verse to get to the rest of the letter and not notice the word ‘FROM’.

Grace (freedom to make mistakes and grow from them), mercy (knowing you are completely and undeservedly forgiven), and peace (inner calm and contentment) are all FROM God. We need to ask for these “big 3”, not try to just conjure them up on our own.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, in the midst of this hectic life, I am asking You to keep developing grace, mercy, and peace in me. Then help me show them to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us”
(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)

As a believer, God wants to do His work on the earth through you. You are His ambassador or representative. You have been given His authority and power. It’s easy to get focused on this natural realm and all the things that we need, but do you realize that you are equipped to be somebody else’s miracle?

Every single day, we have opportunities to show God’s love and compassion to others. We have the opportunity to meet their needs, bring them healing, and offer hope and encouragement. Every day, we can sow good seed into the lives of others that will reap an eternal harvest.

I encourage you today to look for ways to be a blessing to someone else. When you pour into others and help meet their needs, God will make sure that others pour into you. Let’s continue to work together to build His kingdom to the glory of God

TODAY’S PRAYER

Father God, thank You for choosing me and using me. Once again, I surrender every area of my life to You. Show me ways to be a miracle to others so that my life brings glory to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life”
(Matthew 6:27, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD
Are you worrying about something today? To worry means to allow something to revolve in your mind over and over again. God doesn’t want you to live worried or anxious about anything. He knows that worry steals your peace and joy. It affects every area of your life. Have you heard the saying, “Don’t worry yourself sick?” That’s because worrying affects your physical body. It affects your sleep. For the athlete, worry hinders their performance. The good news is that God has promised that you can have victory over worry. It starts by making the choice to trust in Him. When you cast your cares on Him(1 Peter 5:7), He will give you His peace.
Decide today to put an end to worry in your life. Choose to feed your faith and fill your mind with God’s promises. As you focus on God’s Word, you’ll drive out worry and fill your heart with faith and expectancy; and you’ll be empowered to move forward into the life of blessing He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, today I choose to put an end to worry in my life. I choose to feed my faith by studying Your promises and declaring Your Word over my life. Help me to totally trust in You today and every day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

If you realize you have a big God, your problems are little. Little God, big problems.

“It is an honor for a man to cease from strife…”
(Proverbs 20:3, AMP)

Oftentimes, challenges are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone in the office isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you are a playing basketball and the ref has made a bad call. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture. You can’t allow the little things to open the door to strife in your life.

In the Bible, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. In our own lives today, most frustrations aren’t worth our energy. When we avoid strife, it is a mark of honor.

Today, I encourage you to turn away from strife. Keep your focus on what God has called you to do, not on the ref who made the bad call. As you do, you will live in honor, and you’ll move forward in the destiny He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife so I can focus on the destiny You have prepared for me. I love You and bless You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.