(Be blessed by this DWOD for July 23, 2014 by guest contributor Doug Addison)

How you view a situation is vital. If you continually focus on what is wrong or the reasons why you can’t do something, you eventually convince yourself that you can’t change the situation, whether it is based on fact or not. There is a spiritual principle that what you focus on continually eventually comes to you.

If you search for good, you will find favour; but if you search for evil, it will find you! (Proverbs 11:27 NLT)

We can create self-fulfilling prophecies about ourselves and our situation based on what we focus on. You may not be seeking evil intent, but this verse in Proverbs shows that you get what you search for or put your energy into. If you continually think that you are a failure, then you probably fail often, at least in your own mind.

We can derail our destiny by focusing on negative things. We also can get weighed down with emotional baggage that we may not know is there. For instance, if you have a large amount of debt and you are continually thinking about how bad being in debt feels, most likely you will carry the stress of the situation with you through your entire life. It is like a weight around your neck and can bring shame and even hopelessness.

A solution is to decide right now that you will put a debt reduction plan in place and get on with life. Place the feelings of failure and shame in God’s hands, and begin to put your thoughts and energy into finding creative ways to earn additional money. Have fun in the process and you will have instant change!

Have you ever thought someone did something wrong to you? Did you get angry and hurt only to find out when you talked to the person that they had no bad intentions at all? What happened to your hurt and anger? It went away immediately because you were no longer focused on it, and you got a new perspective. We can train ourselves to get a new perspective on everything that happens to us.

Learning to change your perspective is a step toward renewing your mind as mentioned in Romans 12:2 (“…be transformed by the renewing of your mind”). We can choose to focus on good things, and if we do this regularly, our outlook on life will change dramatically. We will begin to see the positive in the midst of difficulty.

Where your focus goes, your energy flows.

Decide ahead of time what you are going to focus on. With just a small amount of effort, you can learn to turn bad situations into good ones. You can learn to make the most of every situation. It is not worth getting upset! Some people say life is too short to be upset or angry. I have always thought that life is too long to do it as well.

Enjoy life by focusing on all the good!

(Doug Addison is a prophetic dream and tattoo interpreter, conference speaker, author, life coach and stand-up comedian. He travels worldwide, helping people transform their lives and discover their destiny. Doug specializes in teaching people how to hear God’s voice, understand their dreams and tattoo evangelism)

(Be blessed by this DWOD for July 22, 2014 by guest contributor Gloria Copeland)

And we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. (Numbers 13:33)

How does the devil see you? Does he see you as a terrifying and mighty warrior of God…or does he see you as a wimp he can whip in a minute?

The answer to that question depends on you. I realized that one day as I was studying the children of Israel and their failure to enter the Promised Land. The key to their failure is found in these words: “And we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in theirs.”

The reason the Israelites were so terrified to fight the giants in Canaan wasn’t because those giants were so big. It was because the Israelites saw themselves as so small! It was what they were in their own sight that defeated them.

The same thing is true for you as a believer. It’s what you are in your own sight that will make the difference.

If, in your own sight, you’re a weak, powerless Christian, the devil will run over you three or four times a day or more if he’s not busy.

But when you begin to see yourself as God sees you, as a conquering son or daughter of the Almighty God equipped with the very power of God Himself, the devil will want to steer clear of you.

The devil would rather do anything than come against somebody who’s bold and courageous, because he’s a coward himself. In fact, ever since Jesus came up out of that grave, satan’s heart has melted within him at the sound of that Name in the mouth of one who has faith in it.

If you’re not strong in the Lord in your own sight, you need to change that. You need to get so full of God’s Word and so full of the Holy Ghost that you walk around like a spiritual giant. Turn the tables on the devil and let him find out what it feels like to be a grasshopper for a change.

(This post appeared first in “From Faith to Faith”, a daily guide to Victory. To subscribe to this daily devotional and access other great resources, please go to www.kcm.org)

(Be blessed by this DWOD for July 19, 2014 by guest contributor Nicole Warden)

Peter sees someone walking on the water. “Jesus, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.” It is Jesus…He has no choice but to say: “Come”. Peter steps out of the boat into the water…his gaze fastened on Jesus…he walks on the water!

As Peter begins to take his eyes off of Jesus and looks at the storm going on around them, he begins to sink. But Jesus doesn’t let him drown. He reaches out, takes hold of Peter…and together they go back and get into the boat…and the winds cease. (Matthew 14:28-32)

As we walk through this life, we strive to enter the rest that He has prepared for us. The only way to do that is to keep the gaze of our soul unbroken upon Him…to keep the focus of our heart on Him Who is “the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2)…to keep our trust securely established in Him…to keep our hope anchored in Him.

Then the trials of life come breaking down upon us like the waves of the sea…sons and daughters that are wayward, broken relationships with siblings, friends, co-workers…financial distress, unplanned losses that cause financial upheaval in our lives…the loss of loved ones…of the friend who struggled with drugs and alcohol for so long and has finally been overtaken by it…human trafficking going on in our world…the abduction of children…the wars…the bombings…tsunamis…earthquakes…the loss of so many lives…the death of so many innocents…

Sometimes our own gaze begins to slip from our Lord and Saviour, the Lover of our soul, and fixes on the circumstances and situations that are swirling all around us.

But, like Peter, we can lift up our eyes to the Lord and say: “Help me Lord! Give me grace to keep my eyes securely fastened on You…to keep my gaze unbroken upon You…”  

As we do so, we feel Him right there standing before us, lovingly gazing into our eyes, telling us that He loves us, that He’s with us, that He never ever leaves us…

That is where I want to stay…my faith anchored in Him…the gaze of my soul upon Him, unbroken forever…

My prayer for you, dear DWOD friend, is that no matter what circumstance or storm arises around you to distract you (and believe me they will come)…that the gaze of your soul will remain unbroken…the eyes of your heart and spirit securely fastened on Him Who is the lover of your soul…

”To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25)

(Nicole Warden is a lover of Jesus whose mission in life is to love the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love others as herself. She has a passion to see people rise up to their full potential in Jesus as they learn to develop intimacy in their relationship with God… particularly in the area of prayer. Nicole and Bob, her husband of 39 years, live in St. Catharines. They have 3 grown sons: Michael (Anique), Tim (Rebecca) & Matthew and two grandsons, Andrew & Isaac…the delights of her heart).

(Be blessed by this DWOD for July 18, 2014 by guest contributor Lance Wallnau)

Why Are You Waiting?

It is a noble thing to be conscientious about doing the will of God, but I wonder if too much caution isn’t often an evidence of a misunderstanding about the nature of God and calling.

Remember the parable about the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)? Three men received talents. One guy multiplied five and another multiplied two. The master was delighted. The third guy feared his master and buried his one talent in the earth. When the boss returned he got his one talent back. What did the master call him? A “wicked, lazy slave.”

Most people miss entirely the point of this parable. It isn’t a parable about God rewarding good stewardship. It’s not about stewardship at all–it’s a parable about RISK! God rewards RISK.

Intelligent risk-taking in Heaven’s interest is of interest to Heaven! Those who play it so safe that they never risk losing are called “wicked and lazy.”

Therefore:

1. Be willing to risk.

The Apostle Paul wanted to be led by the Spirit – but he sought that leading while moving. He was far from sitting still as he…“passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them…” (Acts 16:6-7) Blocked by the Spirit in two geographies he pressed into a vision in the night of a Macedonian calling for help. Off he went!

2. Get in motion while seeking the open door. A parked car is difficult to steer.

I especially encourage young people to go for it. You’re not going to be into your real career stride till your 30’s, so experience as much as you can in your 20’s. Swing the bat and be willing to miss. Try many things. Find out what you like and what you’re good at. Put yourself into positions where you risk being wrong.

3. Get a clear picture of where you want to end up.

It’s amazing how this works. If you get real clear on WHAT you want to see, the HOW TO will start to materialize.

The Bible sequence is “whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray believe…” Notice, the starting point for manifestation isn’t “strategy”, it’s holy desire! Picture the thing you desire and your desire for the thing you picture will attract the vehicle for manifestation.

The secret is “believing” with the “heart,” not “straining” with the “head.” Not that God won’t use your mind. In fact He just might drop an entire mega-strategy right into your head in a flash–that’s usually how it happens.

The point is that God wants you less worried about missing His perfect will and more comfortable being in motion, risking and seeing His works and interventions in your life.

Conclusion? Love God and GO FOR IT!

(Dr. Lance Wallnau is a world-class trainer and consultant whose students span the globe. From bestselling authors, pastors, and billion dollar CEO‘s, he has helped to transform the lives of thousands. Please check out his resources at www.lancelearning.com)

(Be blessed by this DWOD for July 17, 2014 by guest contributor Sulojana Sam. She encourages you to read I Samuel 24 in preparation for this revelation)

David is in the wilderness of En Gedi, hiding from King Saul, who is seeking to kill him, because he is jealous and “afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul” (I Samuel 18:12).

David had a great opportunity to kill King Saul, as he entered the cave where he was hiding, but he refrained from killing him and restrained his servants from rising against Saul because he was ‘the Lord’s anointed’.  David gets another chance (I Samuel 26:8-11) to kill King Saul and yet he would not touch ‘the Lord’s anointed’. 

Dear friends, as our heavenly Father is preparing His people for the great move of God that is coming, I have noticed that satan is very busy creating disharmony within the body of Christ.  As Jeeva and I visited with a number of ministry leaders over the past few weeks, we have been disheartened by what we heard.

People are getting offended so easily. Some are walking away from their spiritual families after hearing just one remark made by their pastor, guest speaker or any of ‘the Lord’s anointed’, with which they do not agree.  Some are insisting that what they do not agree with should not be offered at all, otherwise they’re walking out. There seems to be a lack of willingness to forgive among Christians and a readiness to judge, instead of letting God do His work.

I am not even suggesting for a moment that all of the Lord’s anointed are perfect. I live with one and he certainly is not (sorry to burst your bubble, Jeeva!) We are all human beings and we do make mistakes sometimes.

Look at David, he had every good reason to kill King Saul, we might think, but he wouldn’t.  Not only that, his people were advising him to kill him, but he refused, because Saul was ‘the Lord’s anointed’.

It is high time that we bring back our respect for all of ‘the Lord’s anointed’.  When we go to a church service or to a conference where one of these anointed ones is ministering, think of it like going to a grocery store.  We are not going to buy everything on the shelves, are we?  We grab what we need and leave the rest.

Just because we don’t care for pork, would we insist that the store take it off the shelves? Of course not, because someone else might love it.  The same thing applies to what we receive from our leaders too, doesn’t it?  We take in what agrees with us and leave the rest for someone else to devour.

Dear DWOD friend, if God is convicting you as you read these words, please ask God for His forgiveness first and then if possible, have a heart to heart talk with ‘the Lord’s anointed’ and ask for their forgiveness.  If all of us did that, there will be a lot less strife and more unity. Watch the blessings flow now, because God has said that He will command His blessings where there is unity (Psalm 133:3).

When satan brings these negative thoughts about ‘the Lord’s anointed’, tell him to stay under your feet (where he belongs) and he will obey.  We also need to remember that God has placed these anointed people to watch over us and wants us to honour them: “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit”. (Hebrews 13:17)

David’s example so impressed King Saul that he blessed him with these words in I Samuel 24:19-20: “May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.” Wow!

As you advance into your destiny, I pray that you too will reap every blessing that flows from the King of kings for showing honour to ‘the Lord’s anointed’.

(Sulojana Sam is an honourable woman of God who is being used mightily in the prophetic and in healing. While she is not working for the government, she also doubles as Jeeva Sam’s partner in life and in ministry and as the mother of their three awesome children–Priya, Sathiya and Jaya)

(Be blessed by this DWOD for July 14, 2014 by guest contributor Peggy Kennedy)

“Not for us, O Eternal One; this glory is not for us–but for Your name, because of Your loyal love and truth.” (Psalm 115:1)

“Who caught the goat?” 

This was the main question arising from the dream. As I awoke I remembered the details well: the goat escaped the handlers and the runaway was making a straight path right towards me.  Even though I was all dressed up I didn’t hesitate to move resolutely right into its path.  With my one risky yet solid embrace the goat was stopped in its tracks.

The handlers were excited!  With joy they came running to secure the goat.  They pulled out their camera to take a picture of the “rescue” so the owner would know just how wonderful the brave and timely intervention had been.  There was only one problem. 

They called my “friend” (who suddenly appeared into the scene from somewhere) and put the goat’s tether line in his hand and aimed their camera.  I was openly upset!  Loudly I protested:  “But, who caught the goat?!!!!!”

Except for that closing scene it would have been easy to dismiss the dream. However, as I awoke, that closing scenario lingered and so did the realization that the Lord had given that dream.  He was exposing my heart and revealing His! The inequity of being passed by and having the praise go to another was clearly on display.

I had felt the sting of resentment toward the goat-handlers who clearly knew that I was the one who had bravely done the deed.  And, anger and frustration arose when my own “friend” received their enthusiastic “applause” and took the spotlight for something I had accomplished. 

Yes, my heart was being clearly exposed.  No rational thought of how often my friend has faithfully worked behind the scenes and “deserved” a moment of recognition would cancel the resentment that I had done the deed but someone else was getting the glory!

And, where did that dream come from?  Likely this foundational kingdom principle was being stirred by the Lord as a result of my current reading of the amazing, self-less ministry of Barnabas to the newly converted Saul.

Barnabas had already befriended the once fierce persecutor of the Church who was aflame with the transforming power of the Lord from that Damascus Road encounter.  Now Barnabas goes to Tarsus, retrieves Saul, and brings him to the revival scene in Antioch. (Acts 11:22-26).  There Barnabas, this man of encouragement, shares the platform with Saul for a very productive year.

It is to be noted that when the names are listed, Barnabas’s name always comes first.  This is a common way in scripture to denote the prominent one. However, by the time the two are on their first joint ministry tour, the names are reversed.  “Paul” now replaces the name “Saul” and it is “Paul and Barnabas”.

Years ago I heard it said, “There could be more done for the Lord’s glory if we didn’t care who got the glory for what was done.”  As a result of my dream I can say a huge “amen”!

The goal is the “goat”, not the acclaim and celebration!  Rise up within me, O Barnabas-nature, so that His work is accomplished and others are brought forward in their gifting and ministry!

Who caught the goat?  That is not the issue at all!  The issue is His glory and the advance of His kingdom!

(Peggy Kennedy is a respected member of the Canadian Prophetic Council. According to her pastor Matt Tapley: “Peggy Kennedy carries a powerful anointing to consistently bring the Word of the Lord in a way that is both powerful and timely…mantled to walk in a heavenly grace that brings people of diverse backgrounds together in unity.”)

(Be blessed by this DWOD for June 13, 2014 by guest contributor Lance Wallnau)

 “In my Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you.” Thus spoke Jesus on His last night. He goes to prepare an eternal and wonderful place customized just for you.

What is implied but not spelled out is that the Holy Spirit, in turn, comes into your life to make you into the house that matches your eternal habitation. He moves into you.

Suddenly God starts putting you into situations where you will have to be very much braver, or more patient, or more loving, than you ever dreamed of being before. You must EXPAND.

This process comes to us as a surprise: but that is because we have not yet had the slightest notion of what it means when Jesus says: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will COME TO THEM and MAKE OUR HOME with them.” (John 14:23)

Before He comes for you, He moves into you.

C. S. Lewis says: “Imagine yourself a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing so you are not surprised. But, presently, He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to?

The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but he is building a palace.

If we let him—for we can prevent him, if we choose—he will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright, stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness.”

This is the TRANSFORMATION project you and I are now experiencing as God moves in to make His tabernacle among men…in us! Heaven is getting the final generation ready for the End Times Feast of Tabernacles!

How’s the building project going?

(Dr. Lance Wallnau is a world-class trainer and consultant whose students span the globe. From bestselling authors, pastors, and billion dollar CEO‘s, he has helped to transform the lives of thousands. Please check out his resources at www.lancelearning.com)

(Be blessed by this DWOD for July 09, 2014 by guest contributor Barry Adams)

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

In this part of The Sermon On The Mount, Jesus is encouraging His listeners to not be afraid to ask God for what they need. In the preceding verses, Jesus encourages people to keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking. The promise that He makes is that those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and those who knock will have the door opened to them.

In this particular promise, Jesus relates the hearts of earthly fathers to the heart of His heavenly Father. Even though they are sinful, earthly fathers still know how to give good gifts to their kids. If that is the case, HOW MUCH MORE will the perfect Father (Matthew 5:48) in heaven give good gifts to those who ask?

I remember a time back in January 2001, when I felt the Lord encourage me to ask Him for His blessing on my life and the work of my hands. At the time, I was working on our fathersloveletter.com website which had a steady flow of 3,000 visits per day. After hearing His encouragement to ask Him to bless us, I felt bold enough to ask God to increase the daily visits from 3,000 visits per day to 10,000 visits!

I thought that was a pretty big step of faith considering that it represented more than a 300% increase. Within one week, our web traffic increased to 10,000 visits per day. Within another week, it had skyrocketed to 30,000 visits per day which was three times what I could even dare to ask for!

I am learning more and more every day that God wants to really be a Father to me (2 Corinthians 6:18) in every area of my life. More than anything else, He wants my heart and He wants me to know that I am His child. A child who has complete unrestricted access to my Dad night and day. I know it pleases His heart most when I seek His face and not just His hand. I know that He loves it when I love Him for Him and not for what He gives me.

However, Jesus still encourages us to ask our Dad for what we need, for He already knows what we need even before we ask! May you find the courage today to go boldly into your heavenly Father’s throne room and ask Him for what you need, for He is a giver of every good and perfect gift that flows from heaven (James 1:17).

(This is Promise #189 from the series “365 Promises” created by Barry Adams. You may subscribe to receive them daily by e-mail at www.365promises.com or on the Facebook Page 365promises). 

(Be blessed by this DWOD for July 06, 2014 by guest contributor Os Hillman)

“But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” (Matthew 7:26)

There were two kinds of people in the days of Jesus. Some heard the words that Jesus spoke and were awed by His wisdom and understanding, but did nothing about what they heard. Others heard those words and acted on them.

Jesus said that those who heard the words but failed to put them into practice were foolish and likened them to building a house on sand. How foolish, indeed, it would be to build a house on sand!

The person who followed what Jesus taught was a person who would be sure to weather life’s storms.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).

You never know how well your house is built until it is tested by the elements. Torrential rains reveal the quality of your roof. Wind and cold reveal how well your home is insulated. Heat and sun reveal the quality of your paint and siding. All these elements reveal whether a solid foundation has been laid to make your home a secure and lasting place to live.

Many of us find that we have given only lip service to God’s commands. We are faced with the reality that our foundations are not strong enough to weather life’s storms. How do we react when the trials come?

Do we fret and worry? Do we take life into our hands? Do we respond inappropriately when we don’t get what we want?

The Lord uses these times to help us recognize whether our foundations are sand or rock. Ask the Lord today if you have built on His rock. If so, you can be comforted to know that you can weather any storm that may come your way.

(Reprinted by permission from the author. Os Hillman is an international speaker and author of 15 books on workplace calling. To learn more, visit http://www.MarketplaceLeaders.org)

(Be blessed by this DWOD for June 29, 2014 by guest contributor Shyju Matthew)

Have you noticed that it is easier to love someone who thinks great about you than like someone who thinks you are of no good? The words of people have a profound effect on our hearts, no matter what.

There is a deep need within all of us, to be loved and accepted by people around us. This need makes us curious to know how people feel about us. And this knowledge about what people think about us further sets us on a journey of emotions.

It’s amazing how deeply your respect for an individual shifts the moment you know their negative opinion about you!

Why are Words So Powerful?

Words have life in them and also the power to destroy. Let us not forget that this world that we live in came into being with the spoken Words of God. The battle of Genesis also began with the tricky words of satan.

However words have as much power on you as you let them have. If someone calls you worthless and if you know your true worth, then the words they speak over you must bounce off you.

However an insecure heart feels the need to defend itself. To defend yourself comes from the desire to prove yourself. Wounded pride is the deepest scar of an insecure heart.

Look at Jesus. It is amazing how Jesus wouldn’t let the opinion of people affect Him. John 2:23-25 says, “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing. But Jesus on His part did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”

Now it is not enough that you just back off and walk away. We are taught by our Master to love the very ones that mock and look down upon us.

To be like our Master, we must learn to love unconditionally!

He prayed to the Father, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Jesus was simply following what He had taught them, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt 5:44-45).

It’s easy to ignore and walk away from those that hurt you. However God wants you to love and pray for them.

Today remember you are above all the lies of the enemy. He has “raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6). So, then, right now, take captive every thought that the enemy sows into your head to discourage you! (2 Corinthians` 10:5)

Praying for those who hurt you increases the love in your heart for them. A wholesome love is an unconditional one. Don’t believe me? Look to the cross. Yes I know there’s no love in this world that competes with the love on the cross, but that’s what we are called to be, to be like Him. To lay ourselves down is to let Jesus shine Jesus brightly through us!

(Born in India and presently living in Montreal, Canada, Revivalist Shyju Matthew continues to demonstrate God’s mighty Word through the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in crusades and conferences all over the world. This post first appeared on his blog Guarding The Heart)