Give Thanks

We Give Thanks.

Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.”

Recently I was asked to encourage someone with an email, call or blog. I decided to take this moment to give thanks for my mom. I was not always the best at what I did but she was always there to encourage me and let me know to keep on going. Every day since I started writing these daily devotionals she has read every one of them and sent me an email back giving me encouragement. She has always been there for me and I know she will always be there for me.

I also want to give thanks for all of you who read my daily devotionals and I hope they are encouraging to you.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Handling Stress God's Way Part 3

Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

In the book of Daniel chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship a gold idol set up by the King. So they were thrown into a fiery furnace and in verse 24 and 25, the king jumped to his feet in amazement wondering why there were 4 men in the furnace and not only the 3 he sent. He said the fourth looks like a son of gods. In relating this to our lives that when we feel like the enemy is turning up the heat of discouragement, worry, stress, and fear you need to know that the fourth man Jesus is going to be standing right next to you. So be encouraged to know today that when the enemy works overtime on discouragement, worry, stress and fear that only means that God is getting ready to do something awesome!

Handling Stress God's Way Part 2

Proverbs 20:18
“Get advice if you want your plans to work.”

My question to you today is, “Who are you getting your advice from?” Does the advice you get FUEL FEAR OR FUEL FAITH? Are you watching the news? Are you reading the newspaper? I have noticed that most of today’s news is not positive. For some reason negative news sells. We as followers of Christ have to make sure we are getting advice or counsel from things that fuel our faith. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with positive people and investing in positive sermons and even watching movies that are positive.

Handling Stress God's Way Part 1

Handling Stress God’s Way Part 1

Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”

This Psalm was written to maintain patience in the midst of troubles. God’s people can have such patience because they know that their eternal reward will abundantly surpass any temporal troubles. This week we will be discussing ways we can handle stress Gods way. In an environment that fuels fear in talking about how bad the economy is, the unemployment rate, rumors of layoffs, etc. We must make sure we have faith in God and know that our rewards are stored up in heaven!!

Today read Psalm 37.

Gods Divine Timing Part V

Galatians 6:9
“We must not become tired of doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Every single day we have divine opportunities to do what is right and do what is wrong. From the moment we step out of bed, to the moment we step into our cars to drive off to work to them moment we lie down to rest for the night. Every moment is divinely positioned by God for you to do what is in His will. We must remember in a world that has been filled more and more with the enemies’ temptations that we must do what is right. Even when no one is looking, God is.

Today remember to do good because in Gods due season you will reap your harvest!!

Gods Divine Timing Part IV

In Gods Divine Timing Part IV

Psalm 37:34
“I won’t be impatient for the Lord to act! I will keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season He will honor me with every blessing.”
We need to know that we must continue to stay God’s course He has called you to follow and not be impatient for Him to act. Because when we do we fall out of his will for us in our lives. We must continue to stay the course and finish the race and I am reminded that everything in our lives is a marathon and not a sprint. So we must have the endurance to trust in Him who made us and in due season He will honor you with every blessing.

Gods Divine Timing Part III

In Gods Timing Part III

Ecclesiastes 7:8 (The Message)
“Endings are better than beginnings, Sticking to it is better than standing out.”

Another version says, “It is better to finish something than to start it.” This verse basically says to me that if we start something we need to be able to finish it. So many times in our fast paced society we are in something and the next big thing comes and we want it, not finishing what we started. Or we just want to give up on something because we don’t think we can finish it. Too many times we see people quit in relationships, in jobs, in churches, and sometimes even give up in possibly being a parent. It breaks my heart to see so many people just quit before getting a clear answer from God.

Today if you want to quit, I encourage you to finish what you started because, “THE END OF THIS THING IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN ITS BEGINNING.”

Gods Divine Timing Part 2

Gods Divine Timing Part ii
Psalm 40:1-2 (The Message)
“I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip.”
I really like to song 40 written by Bono from U2 inspired by this chapter:
U2 Lyrics - 40
I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined and heard my cry. He brought me right out of the pit, out of my miry clay. I will sing a new song, how long to sing this song? He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps heard. Many will see, many will see and fear. I will sing, sing a new song. How long to sing this song?

Have you ever felt like you did not know if God was listening? Have you ever felt can He really hear my prayers? Ever wondered if he will ever answer your prayer? I know I have. Well if you do then remember this verse, that you must wait patiently for God and when it is in His timing He will answer and put you on a solid rock. Be encouraged today that He is listening to you and hears your prayers and he will pull you out of that ditch, or that deep mud you might be in and He will place you exactly where He wants you.

Today I challenge you to wait patiently for Him and read the entire chapter of Psalm 40.

Gods Divine Timing

In God’s Divine Timing

Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.”

I want to tell you a story about what happened yesterday. After our awesome Church service, I found out that we were going to have to stay a little longer for something my wife had to take care of. Well, let’s just say I was not the most enthused about it. I mean come on; I wanted to take a nap while watching some football.

So it came to about an hour and a half after service and everyone was gone and as I am locking up the door to the church to go home. A gentleman walks up to me and says, “How do I become a member of the church?” I gave him the steps we take to become a member, and then the Holy Spirit starts working on me and says, there is something else there. So I ask him, “Are you just wanting info to join our church or is there something else?” He says, “I just want to get right with God, I have a lot of problems and need a relationship, is it too late?” Of course I say no and ask if I can pray for him and in prayer I asked him if he wanted to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. He said yes, so I had him repeat after me the salvation prayer and when we were done, I looked up at him and tears were rolling down his face and I realized he was being completely genuine. I gave him a Bible, explained to him where to start reading, about true repentance, and we exchanged numbers and I drove to take him home where he was living in the Economy Inn. We said our good bys and said we would talk again.

Talk about divine timing, WOW, I had to ask my wife several times, “was that real, did that really happen.” Any other day at the church at that time the doors would have been closed and everyone gone, but God placed us there at that exact time to be available for one of God’s divine moments.

The Power in the Words We Speak (5 of 5)

The Power of the Words We Speak Part V

Ephesians 4:29
Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace to those who hear it.

If we could learn to always pause for a moment before we say what would most normally just fly out of our mouth, we could spare a lot of hurt and misunderstanding.

Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips

In other words... I think before I speak because the mind of the wise instructs his mouth. Lets start today by instructing our mouth to only speak those things that are of God, encouraging, and uplifting.

Our words are so important. The power of life and death are in our tongue.


Written by Stacey Post

The Power in the Words We Speak (4 of 5)

The Power of the Words We Speak Part IV

Psalms 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips

In other words… “ help me, lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed” I know sometimes, (more than not) I have to pray this prayer. Do you ever get into situations where it seems so hard to keep your lips closed but you know that it would be the best if you didn’t say anything. We may be tempted to blurt out something or think that we know just what to say but sometimes we are the best example of a Christian when we don’t say anything at all.

I know that we want to make sure that God will be pleased with what comes out of our mouth. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 So today take notice of the words that come out of your mouth. Ask yourself are they encouraging? Are they uplifting? Are they edifying? Are you building someone up with your words or are you tearing someone down? If you can’t say that they are uplifting then they don’t need to be said at all.

Written by Stacey Post

The Power in the Words We Speak (3 of 5)

The Power of the Words We Speak Part III

Proverbs 16:23
“I think before I speak because the mind of the wise instructs his mouth.”

Many times we speak before we think and once those words are spoken if they are not encouraging then you can ask for forgiveness but you can never take words back. There is a demonstration used that when you squeeze a tube of toothpaste out on a plate then try to put the toothpaste back in the tube it is quite impossible. These are just like the words we speak once spoken you can’t take them back. Sometimes I like to say make sure you are using you mouth gate that filters the words we speak.

Today your challenge is to make sure you think before you speak. Now don’t think too long because you might come of a little weird or funny, but seriously think before you speak. Use your mouth gate to filter only encouraging words today.

The Power in the Words We Speak (2 of 5)

The Power of the Words We Speak Part II

Ephesians 4:29
“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.”

This is a great verse; so many times we are guilty of speaking bad things over others. We say bad things about our bosses, our government, and other people. But we must remember that the only thing we need to be saying about someone else is words that will help others become stronger. We must not get caught up in saying anything negative whether it is to that person or about another person. Don’t get caught up into gossip either about any other person. We must always remember to speak positively about others or don’t say anything at all. My parents taught me, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say it at all.” Right?

Be very careful in what you say because there is Power in your words. Today I challenge you to only speak positive things about others.

The Power in the Words We Speak (1 of 5)

The Power of the Words We Speak

Proverbs 18:21
“The power of life and death are in the tongue.”

We must watch the words we speak because they carry much weight as written here in Proverbs. So many times we don’t realize how much power there are in the words we speak, but they can encourage someone who needs encouragement and tear someone down affecting the way they look at themselves. So many times I hear, “I think I am getting sick.” We have recently changed that saying in our household to, “I thank you God for my good health.” Make sure you are not speaking death in any situation and speak life.

Today I challenge you to speak life over your work, over your finances, over your health, over the economy, over our government, over the church, and over our friends and family.

I will persist until I succeed. (Part 4 of 4)

I will persist until I succeed.

Hebrews 11 (Please read this entire chapter today, it is awesome)
11:1
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (NLT)
11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.” (NKJV)
11:27
By faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the kings’ anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.” (NIV)

Perseverance, persistence and faith all work hand in hand. In the first verse we look at is a great definition of Faith. In the second verse is a very familiar verse often quoted, “without faith it is impossible to please Him,” but the second part of the verse is equally important because without diligently seeking Him or as the NIV says it earnestly seeking Him we can’t see the reward. You see a lot of the time we pray and expect it to immediately manifest, right? However we all know that it takes diligently seeking him or as Paul also says it as pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) in order to see His promise manifest. So today make sure to be like Moses and persevere because we see Him who is invisible and remember what Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen me and have believed” (John 20:29).

Today be encouraged to know that you are blessed in this city, blessed in this country, blessed when you go in and blessed when you go out. YOU ARE BLESSED!!!!

I will persist until I succeed. (Part 3of 4)

I will persist until I succeed.

Hebrews 10:36
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

Each day is a brand new day and we have many choices. Those who do not dwell on their past mistakes and focus on future success are the ones who are making an impact on the NOW and HERE. Do you want to make an impact?? Do you want to succeed?? I think we all have desires to receive the blessing God has promised, but possibly might lack the perseverance to continue to have faith and to press on.

So be encouraged today to press on to what God has for you and do not waiver in the faith. Because with God we can do all things, He gives us the strength, He is a God who is for us and not against us and He said that no weapon formed against us will prosper!!

I will persist until I succeed. (Part 2 of 4)

I will persist until I succeed.

Romans 2:7
“To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.”

What Paul is referring to here is “persistence in doing good” as the proof of genuine faith. In my career I have found that persistence in any area develops many things. It can lead to success, it can lead to failure, it can lead to humility, it can lead to embarrassment, and it can lead to an overflowing of blessing …whether it is good or bad it is still action. You have to take action in order to cause a result. I have noticed that in all cases if what you are doing or the action steps you are taking, if they are within God’s will and your persistence is from the heart they will turn into the success you desired.

So today is there something that has been holding you back? Someone you have been meaning to call? Someone you have been meaning to seek out on facebook or my space? An email you wanted to send? Someone you wanted to encourage (like someone who has been sending you daily devotionals for 10 days early in the morning-just kidding) but have been scared to?

TODAY take that action, take that step to reach out to someone, call, email, add them as a friend but take action and be persistence in doing good, and trust me you won’t want to wait to see what tomorrow brings in your life.

I will persist until I succeed. (Part 1 of 4)

I will persist until I succeed.

Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

God has set a race before us, have you ever thought about that? I know I don’t always look at it that way. I know I have been tired at times, but we need to know that we have the endurance in Him to finish it. Persistence breeds success, just think about how persistent Jesus was with his disciples in teaching them and that was Eleven Guys who changed the World through Christ. So know today that any trial you might be facing, any worry you might have in a situation, any fear that might be keeping you from your goal…Be persistent in seeking God and you will be able to overcome any trial, challenge, problem or situation you might be facing. Be persistent in seeking God and you will succeed!!

I will greet this day with love in my heart. (Part 4 of 4)

I will greet each day with love in my heart.

Luke 10:27
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.”

We love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength, which pretty much covers it all right? Our God is a jealous God and we must remember that we must put him first in our lives. That is something that held me back from accepting Him early in my searching for what was missing. I questioned as to why a God would want me to put him before my kids. Once I realized that it was Him who gave me my kids, I completely humbled myself and put him first in my life. Because any time I ever question whether God is real, all I have to do is think of my wife and children (who I think are pretty awesome!!!!). I am truly blessed with an awesome family.

So if you question His existence think of your loved ones and know that He is Alive and He is Real.

I will greet this day with love in my heart. (Part 3 of 4)

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

Psalm 1:2
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Each day we awake we should take delight in the Lord, for the past 7 days the first thing I grab in the morning, after my coffee of course is my Bible and I sit down to read it. I consider it a pleasure that I am able to take the time and get into the Word daily. There are many countries you have to actually sneak a Bible in to read it. We are entering a time in our country where we need to have something we can ultimately count on…GOD.. We live in an economy and a society full of fear where we have no idea what to expect tomorrow. What we can know for sure if we are granted a tomorrow we can count on God. We must make sure we are taking delight in his word and meditate on it because it is alive and we can count on it being truth. So be encouraged to know that God is here now and we can expect him to be consistent in his message according to His Word.

So today count on God to move in your life!!!!

I will greet this day with love in my heart. (Part 2 of 4)

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails.”

If we could for just 21 days read this verse every day prior to leaving our house, just think what it could do. They say if you repeat something after 21 days it becomes a habit. As we go out into the world there are many things that cause us to not love, trust me I know living in Atlanta and dealing with traffic, I have to repeat the first 3 words all the time. Or meeting someone who is filled with hate, spite or is vindictive. But in the verse Paul so eloquently defines what love is. So as you go out today, I challenge you to greet this day with love in your heart. Say this verse for 21 days prior to leaving your house.