Free Devotion Download: Today Is Your Best Day

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As you know, I have this amazing job in Christian book publishing. Our company, New Leaf Publishing Group, creates books that fit into some specific categories of interest (defending the Bible, homeschool curriculum, creation science, Christian history, church resources, and a few more).

Recently, we released one book that I believe is for everyone! Roy Lessin, co-founder and senior writer for DaySpring, has written 60 powerful devotions that help us focus on what is always good and right about our day. When our life is in God’s hands, every day is our very best day.

The GREAT news is we are offering the book as a free download for a limited time. I want you to have and share this book. Please take a few minutes to download it today and tell a few others about the opportunity. This is a book of Hope and Truth worth sharing friends!

Click here to get your copy.

 

Reaching the Unreachable

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Introducing World Mission Alliance – a ministry reaching out to people in the far corners of the world who once were unreachable.

Danger is no obstacle to the WMA. They have taken the name of Jesus and the truth of His love to the former Soviet Union, China, Iraq, India, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, and beyond.

Are you also passionate about reaching the lost?  World Missions Alliance is hosting Experience Breakthrough: Believe the Impossible March 28-31, 2012- an incredible conference held here in the Ozarks.

Check out the list of just a few of the guest speakers:

  • Walid Shoebat, former Islamic terrorist who converted to Christianity and is a powerful voice for Israel and America bringing an insightful view on Biblical prophecy.
  • Carter Conlon, Senior Pastor of Times Square Church in NYC, bringing a message on personal awakening. David Wilkerson, the founding pastor of the Times Square Church, appointed Carter Conlon as the Senior Pastor in 2001.
  • Sean Tuohy, subject of the movie The Blind Side, entrepreneur, NBA Broadcaster, will guide you through overcoming the obstacles in the face of adversity.

I know it may be short notice, but I hope you can make plans to attend this event.  I’m sure you won’t walk away disappointed. Perhaps this will be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

For more information on registration, visit their website, or you can register through their Facebook page.

Missions Conference in Branson, MO

Is Today Your Best Day?

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Let me introduce you to one of my new favorite devotional books: Today is Your Best Dayby Roy Lessin. Roy is the co-founder of DaySpring and their senior writer. Why do I treasure this book so much? Because it shows us how each day IS our best day because of Jesus and despite our circumstances.

 

Because of Jesus’ Name

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. Philippians 2:9–10 kjv

Jesus’ name is above every name. His name is so great that the Bible gives Him many other names to help us understand how mighty He truly is. Every name that Jesus bears and everything that Jesus is, He is for you. As you go through this day consider His glorious names, and the impact they have upon your life.

• The Last Adam: Through His obedience He came to restore to you everything that the first Adam lost through His disobedience.

• The Advocate: He is your defending attorney in the courtroom of heaven.

• Almighty: He knows no limits to what He can do for you because He is without limitation.

• Alpha: He is the first word in every issue that concerns you.

• Omega: He is the final word in every issue that concerns you.

• Amen: He is the “so be it” to all He directs you to do.

• Anointed: He is the one God has chosen to be your all in all.

• Apostle: He is the one who established you and upon whom the foundation of your faith is built.

• Author: He is writing every chapter of your life and is preparing future editions.

• Beloved: He brings you the Father’s heart.

• Bishop: He watches over your soul.

• Bread of Life: He nurtures and sustains you.

• Bridegroom: He’s preparing you for His wedding day.

• Bright Morning Star: He is the bright spot in your day.

• Captain: He is charting your course and guiding your rudder.

• Carpenter: He is preparing a place for you in His Father’s house.

• Chief Shepherd: He is leading you to still waters and quiet resting places.

• Christ: He is the Lord of your life.

• Cornerstone: He is the One you are building your life upon.

• Dayspring from on High: He brings new hope to every morning.

• Deliverer: He is One who sets you free from the bondage of sin.

• Emmanuel: He is God with you.

• Express Image of God: He allows you to see the beauty of the Father’s face.

• High Priest: He is praying for you and standing before God on your behalf.

• Holy One: He is your purity.

• Jesus: He is your Savior.

• Lamb of God: He is your sacrifice.

• Master: He is in control.

• Messiah: He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and He is your God.

• Passover: He has provided your redemption.

• Propitiation: He has made atonement for you.

• Rabbi: He is your teacher.

• Refuge: He is your hiding place.

• Resurrection: He is your eternal hope.

• Vine: He makes you fruitful.

• Wonderful: He is the One who is worthy of all your worship.

• Way: He is the pathway and the destination of your day.

page 21

Regardless of our circumstance, Jesus name is for me and for you.  Jesus name is full of provision, hope, and power. You and I have more than we will ever need because of Jesus.

 

Being Still with God

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Sitting still with God can be difficult. I’ve struggled to be still because it didn’t feel productive. I’ve struggled to pray and keep my mind from wondering off a thousand times.

Tonight I began reading Abby Lewis’ book, Blossoming Out of the Valley: Finding Peace and Stillness with God. I bought the book for friends last summer but never got around to reading it myself. Why? Because I was resisting being still AND resisting being wrong. Oooh – that pride is sneaky isn’t it.

But as I read the introduction and first chapter, I found peace instead of guilt. Abby’s approach with stillness to God allows you to have a unique experience with God instead of asking you to do something that worked specifically for her. I really appreciate this and I’m hooked on the book. I realized that I am still with God more than I think I am. My stillness just doesn’t look like what I thought I had to do to be still. I’m a little ADD so stillness with God for me involves typing my thoughts to Him sometimes, driving others and listening to music or a sermon, a change of venue, etc.

In her book, Abby’s description of her stillness with God inspired me. Here is an short excerpt from Chapter 1.

During my time of stillness, I simply listen to Him and experience His presence. I usually say, “God, I am here, and I call out to You. Your Word says that You will answer me and reveal to me great and unsearchable things that I do not know (see Jeremiah 33:3). Lord, I desire to know those things. I want to experience you.”

If want to experience the peace that comes from knowing God, I encourage you to read Abby’s book. And please join me, Sundi Jo, and Abby in an online Bible study using her book. If you join today and order the kindle version of the book, you can start reading along with us tonight. Or you can order your paper copy and catch up easily.

May we all come boldly to Him in quietness trusting Him to meet our needs.

Big Audacious Prayers

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I’m reading Mark Batterson’s latest book – The Circle Maker: Drawing Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears. I seriously love this book so much I would wear it if it were a new outfit! :)

The circle maker is a man named Honi. He’s not mentioned in the Holy Bible, but he is found in the Talmud. He was a scholar, a man with a special relationship with God, and famous for praying for rain.

Here are 7 nuggets from Chapter 2 I don’t want to forget.

  • Bold prayers honor God and God honors bold prayers.
  • If your prayers aren’t impossible to you, the are insulting to God. Why? Because they don’t require divine intervention.
  • The greatest moments in life are the miraculous moments when human impotence and divine omnipotence intersect. And they intersect when you draw a circle around the impossible situations in our lives and invite God to intervene.
  • God is for you. If you don’t believe that you will pray small timid prayers; if you do believe it, you will pray big audacious prayers.
  • Who you become is determined by how you pray. Ultimately the transcript of your prayers becomes the script of your life.
  • God is not a genie in a bottle and His wish is not your command.  His command better be your wish. If it’s not, you won’t be drawing prayer circles, you’ll end up walking in circles.
  • The goal is glorifying God by drawing circles around the promises, miracles, and dreams He wants for you.

If that doesn’t motivate you to kick your prayers up a notch, I don’t know what will!

Right now I am praying big audacious prayers for several people I love dearly. God’s timing is amazing. He brought this book to me knowing I needed the nudge.

Are you praying big, audacious prayers? If not, check out this book!

Reading Recommendation: Deadly Disclosures

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One of the perks of my job is I get to read books before they are published. Deadly Disclosures is one we published that I could not put down. It’s fiction… but it’s really real. It taught me so much about the intense debate between Creation and evolution. It’s a really good mystery! And it explains the way to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Deadly Disclosures is Julie Cave’s first of three novels called the Dinah Harris Mystery Series. The central character, Dinah Harris, a detective who struggles with depression and alcohol abuse, works to find answers to the questions in her life. ‘Why are people dying for their faith?’ ‘Why am I depressed?’ ‘Why do I choose to drink?’ ‘How can we be saved from all of this?’ She learns what it means to be saved by God’s grace and that no one is ever past the point of redemption.

Julie’s desire is that her books would be used to lead unbelievers to know Jesus. Many people enjoy a great mystery and could receive the Truth via this great storyline.

Check out the digital version for only 0.99 cents through the end of January. If you love the book like I do, share it with a friend who has questions about the Bible.

Here’s a video teaser to whet your reading appetite.

Praying the Word of God for Your Children

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Several years ago I learned to pray the Scriptures. My wise counselor shared Germaine Copeland’s book – Prayers that Avail Much: Commemorative Edition (3 Vols. in 1) with me. Words can not describe how her written prayers filled with God’s Word  helped me to learn what God desired. I began to know God and His heart for me, for others, and His thoughts about life’s issues.

Fast forward to 2012. I am more aware than ever that I need to be speaking God’s word back to Him. Not to change God with my prayers. But to say “yes” to what He wants for me and for others. I can reach up to God and ask Him for what He already wants to give.

In 2012, I want to become more consistent in praying this way. I’m starting today with a prayer for the children in my life taken from Germaine Copeland’s book – Prayers That Avail Much for Your Family. I’ve modified her prayer to fit my family.

To Know Who They are In Christ

Father in the name of Jesus, I speak over my nieces and nephews that they have (or will have) the mind of Christ. Teach them to understand what Christ is thinking! I thank You Lord, that they are (or will be) set free by Your blood and they have forgiveness of sins and they know the richness of Your grace.

I pray for them, asking You to give them wisdom and eyes to see clearly and to understand all You have done for them. May Your bright light make their way plain so that they know what pleases You and give them the courage to do Your will.

May they always liven in fellowship with You, for they are (or will be) Your children in Christ Jesus. They can do everything through You because You give them strength.

Open their eyes that they may understand that they have been made (or can be made) the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and that they are (can be) brand new creations in You. The past is forgotten and everything is new. You have chosen them and they are accepted. They are light in a dark world and completely victorious through You.

Thank You, Father, for loving them and giving to them everything that they need in this life. Amen

Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Romans 6:11
1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT
Ephesians 5:8 MSG
1 Corinthians 2:16 NLT
Romans 8:1
Galatians 3:26
Ephesians 1
Romans 8:37 NCV
Philippians 4:13 NLT

Do you use scripture to pray? Please share scriptures that you pray over your family.

 

Choices that Lead to a Forever Marriage

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Today is our day to Lunch and Learn at the office. We will feast on chili while we learn about Gary & Norma Smalley’s latest release – 4 Days to a Forever Marriage: Choosing Love and Anger. This book is incredible just like the authors.

Here’s what so cool about Lunch & Learn

  • The staff will sign copies of the book for the authors
  • We will discuss our plans to 4 Days into the hands of as many marriages as possible
  • Gary and Norma will Skype the staff to teach us more about the concepts of the book
  • We will pray over the book, the authors, the stores who will buy it and those who will read it.

Since you are not going to be with us for lunch at the office today, I’ll share with you a few quick videos of the Smalleys explaining the choosing love and anger concepts to secure “forever” for your marriage.

Day 1 – Loving Words & Actions

Day 2 – Communication & Resolving Anger

Day 3 – Affection & Intimacy

Day 4 – Trials & Treasures

I can’t wait to give this book to engaged and married couples for Christmas this year. If you’d like to win a copy for yourself or a special couple, just comment in the section below what resonated with you in the videos. I’ll choose one winner on Saturday afternoon (10/22) after 5pm.

The Unlimited Love & Power of God

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Today I am sharing with you a slice of one of my favorite devotions. The book is Come Away My Beloved Updated by Frances J. Roberts. The reason I love it so much is it’s written as if God is speaking to me. And because I see the messages of the Scriptures within it, I’m confident that I am hearing God’s heart for me. Listen to Him speak to your heart here:

For I am With you and IN you to make you neither barren nor unfruitful.

I am in you to give you LIFE and to give it to you more abundantly,

yes LIFE WITHOUT LIMIT.

For all I am able to do for you is limited only by my omnipotence and My eternal, everlasting Life and Power,

and to these THERE ARE NO LIMITS.

Lo, I wait to bless you;

I wait to give you My fullness.

I delight to do for you,

because I love you beyond your power to begin to know.

taken from the devotion Center to Circumference, page 93

Is your mind open to the fullness of God’s love for you? Or is it limited by your experience of love based on the limitations of the people in your life?

God has no limits. Ask Him to reveal to you how your view of His love could be limiting your relationship with Him.

I also pray that love may be the ground into which you sink your roots and
on which you have your foundation. This way, with all of God’s people you will be able to understand how wide, long, high, and deep his love is.
Ephesians 3:17-18

 

The Courage to Be Unique

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This is a prayer to guide us in discussing, understanding, and celebrating the unique way we have been created by God. It is taken from the The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life by Tommy Newberry.

Father God,

I praise You for my uniqueness. You have not put another person in the world who is just like me. Prepare me to be the masterpiece that You originally created me to be. Thank You for creating me in Your likeness. Allow me to see myself today with as much significance as You see me. Keep my focus ahead of me rather than behind me. Protect me from over-identifying with my blunders and under-identifying with my victories. Disrupt and dissolve any stale, destructive self talk from the past that I may still be embracing.

Grant me the courage to push beyond previous boundaries in all areas of my life. Remind me that my peak moments are just glimpses of the enormous potential you have blessed me with. Thank You for giving me permission to live life to the fullest.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Go ahead, be courageous. Share in the comments how God has uniquely created you. How are you different? Want to dig deeper and discover how Beautifully Giftedyou are? Click here for an awesome new book by Angela Bisignana, PhD.

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